Nick Kyrgios suspended one month in cocaine doping case

MELBOURNE: Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has been handed a one-month suspension in a doping case involving cocaine, although the original three-month ban was reduced after he completed an approved treatment programme.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said Kyrgios returned a positive test for cocaine during an ATP event in Mallorca, Spain, in June.

The 31-year-old player was provisionally suspended on August 4 while the case was investigated.

According to the ITIA, Kyrgios acknowledged during the investigation that he had used cocaine socially on the night before his match in Mallorca. An independent scientific expert reviewed his explanation and concluded that it was consistent with the amount of cocaine detected in his sample.

Under global anti-doping rules, Kyrgios initially faced a three-month suspension. However, the ITIA said his participation in an agency-approved treatment programme allowed the penalty to be reduced to one month.

His suspension is due to expire on Thursday, allowing the Australian to return to competitive tennis once the ban has formally ended.

Despite the shortened suspension, Kyrgios will still face sporting and financial consequences from the incident. The ITIA confirmed that he will lose the prize money and ranking points he earned at the Mallorca tournament.

Kyrgios has already publicly apologised for the incident, describing his cocaine use as a “big mistake”.

The case represents another difficult chapter in the career of one of tennis’s most naturally talented but often controversial players. Kyrgios has built a reputation for his powerful serve, explosive shot-making and unpredictable style, while injuries and disciplinary issues have repeatedly disrupted his career.

The reduced suspension reflects the role of treatment and cooperation under the anti-doping framework, but the loss of ranking points could still affect Kyrgios’s position as he attempts to rebuild his competitive career.

The ITIA’s decision also highlights the distinction between an anti-doping violation and the penalty imposed after considering individual circumstances and an athlete’s participation in an approved programme.

With the ban now nearing its end, attention will turn to whether Kyrgios can put the controversy behind him and focus on returning to the court.

For the Australian star, the episode has come with a clear personal cost — but his apology and participation in treatment have helped shorten what could otherwise have been a significantly longer absence from professional tennis.