Nick Kyrgios tested positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, from a sample taken at the June 2026 Mallorca Open ATP 250 event [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. The positive result was confirmed by a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited laboratory on July 17, 2026 [4]. Kyrgios told the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) that his cocaine use occurred socially at a nightclub in Magaluf, Spain, on June 20, days before his first-round match at Mallorca [1, 2, 3, 4]. Both the ITIA and an independent WADA-accredited expert accepted the use was out of competition [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].

Kyrgios was provisionally suspended starting August 4, 2026, after the positive test was confirmed [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Under WADA rules, cocaine use in competition can lead to a default suspension of three months, but this can be reduced to one month if the athlete enters an approved treatment program [2, 4, 5]. Kyrgios agreed to a one-month ban and completed a treatment program approved by the ITIA [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. His ban ended on Thursday, September 3, 2026, making him eligible to return to tennis from September 4 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].

Due to the positive test, Kyrgios forfeited his prize money of 6,570 euros and ranking points earned at the Mallorca event [1, 2, 3, 4]. At the time, he was ranked 918 in the world and has struggled with injuries over recent years [1, 4, 5]. Kyrgios publicly apologized for the failed test, calling it a "huge mistake" and taking full responsibility. He said, "I’m sorry to my fans, my family, my sponsors and everyone close to me. Above all, I’m sorry to the kids who follow me. I know the example this sets and I’m deeply disappointed in myself" [4].

Had the cocaine use occurred during competition, Kyrgios could have faced a ban of up to four years [4, 5]. He chose not to appeal the provisional suspension [4]. Greek player Stefanos Tsitsipas said he was not surprised by the positive test and knew about it before the public announcement, stating, "I kind of expected it, to be honest" [5].

Kyrgios’s next scheduled return to professional tennis is from September 4, 2026, after his one-month ban ends [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].