Nick Kyrgios faces provisional suspension for violating anti-doping program
World tennis is shaken by shocking news: renowned Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). The measure follows the detection of benzoylecgonine, a metabolite associated with cocaine use, in a sample taken during an official competition.
The finding occurred after an analysis conducted on June 22, 2026, within the framework of the ATP 250 tournament held in Mallorca, Spain. Subsequently, on July 17, a laboratory accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) confirmed the presence of said prohibited substance, activating the corresponding disciplinary protocols.
Details of the sanction and current regulations
Kyrgios’ suspension came into effect on August 4, 2026. Under the strict rules of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme, this disqualification is mandatory as it involves a substance included on the WADA prohibited list during the competition period.
- Benzoylecgonine is classified as a substance of abuse under current regulations.
- The regulations allow for the possibility of reduced sanctions if it can be proven that the consumption occurred out of competition.
- Kyrgios maintains the legal right to appeal this suspension, although to date he has not filed any formal appeal with the authorities.
While remaining under this disciplinary measure, the athlete is prohibited from competing, training, or participating in any event organized by the main professional tennis entities, including Grand Slam tournaments, the ATP, the WTA, and national federations.
At 31 years old, the Australian player, who reached the number 13 spot in the world rankings in 2016, is going through one of the most complex moments of his professional career. The future of his career will now depend on the progress of the disciplinary process, which will determine the final sanction after evaluating all the circumstances of the case.
