Kyrgios suspended after positive cocaine test

Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended from tennis after testing positive for cocaine.

The Australian submitted a sample during the Mallorca Open on 22 June that was later found to contain benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine.

Former world number 13 Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended, external since 4 August.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency said Kyrgios could appeal against the provisional suspension “but has not done so to date”.

In a post on Instagram, Kyrgios said he made “a huge mistake” and takes “full responsibility” for it.

Under the suspension, Kyrgios cannot play, coach at or attend Grand Slams or any events sanctioned by the men’s and women’s tennis tours pending the outcome of a tribunal.

Kyrgios could be banned for up to four years – but if he can prove he took the drug outside of a competition, the maximum ban he would face is three months.

The 31-year-old has played just four singles matches this season, having struggled with knee and wrist injuries in recent years.

He last played in the men’s doubles at Wimbledon, where he and partner Alexander Bublik lost in the first round.

In a lengthy statement on Instagram, Kyrgios said the last few years of injuries had taken “a huge toll on me, both mentally and physically”.

“My body hasn’t been able to do what my mind expects it to do,” he wrote.

“Coming to terms with being near the end of my career has been harder than I ever imagined.

“None of that excuses what I did.”            

Kyrgios said he would be stepping away from social media and public life for the next 28 days to “focus on getting myself right”.

Cocaine is classified as a stimulant and substance of abuse on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s prohibited list.

Reduced sanctions apply for athletes who test positive for the substance out of competition.-BBC

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