Tennis star Nick Kyrgios made a candid admission about his mental health after being provisionally suspended for a positive cocaine test.
“I wanted you to hear this from me first,” Kyrgios, 31, shared via his Instagram Story on Wednesday, August 19. “I recently failed a drug test in Mallorca after testing positive for cocaine. I made a huge mistake and I take full responsibility for it.”
The test was taken while Kyrgios was playing in the Mallorca Open in June.
“I’m sorry to my fans, my family, my sponsors and everyone else close to me,” he continued. “Above all, I’m sorry to the kids who follow me. I know the example this sets and I’m deeply disappointed in myself. I’m not going to make excuses, but I do want to give some context about where I’ve been. The last couple of years of injuries have taken a huge toll on me, both mentally and physically.”
Kyrgios continued, “My body hasn’t been able to do what my mind expects it to do, and coming to terms with being near the end of my career has been harder than I ever imagined. I’ve always said I didn’t choose tennis – tennis chose me. But letting go of something that has been my whole life is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to face. At times I’ve felt hopeless and alone.”
Kyrgios has battled multiple injuries since reaching the Wimbledon final in 2022 and has struggled to come close to regaining his once-formidable form.
“However, the good news is that this has given me a wake up call,” he added. “For the next 28 days, I’ll be stepping away from social media and public life while I focus on getting myself right. I’d ask that people respect my privacy during that time, and most importantly the privacy of my family.”
Kyrgios concluded, “I’m sorry. I’ll do the work and come back better.”
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said Kyrgios is able to appeal the suspension, “but has not done so to date,” according to the BBC.
Under the suspension, Kyrgios cannot play, coach at or attend any officially sanctioned events pending the outcome of a tribunal. The maximum ban he faces is three months, but Kyrgios could be suspended for up to four years.
“Cocaine is a stimulant and substance of abuse on the WADA Prohibited List and is banned in competition under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme. If taken out of competition, reduced sanctions apply for substances of abuse,” the ITIA said in a statement.
