Nick Kyrgios’ bid to return from persistent knee and wrist problems has been hampered by a positive cocaine test that was returned during the Mallorca Open.
The 31-year-old took responsibility and admitted it was a “huge mistake,” saying how much he had struggled in coming to terms with an end to his career. “Coming to terms with being near the end of my career has been harder than I ever imagined,” Kyrgios said.
The Australian, who has contested only eight tournaments and won just two matches since the beginning of 2023 as a result of his injuries, has been provisionally suspended from competition as his case is investigated.
The former Wimbledon finalist could be banned for as long as four years and the case would only be reduced to three months if he can establish he was not taking the substance while he was playing tennis.
Kyrgios shot to fame in 2014 when he stunned Roger Federer on the Centre Court and reached last year’s Wimbledon final, which he lost to Serbia’s Novak Djokovic. However, the journey from that point in his career has also been punctuated by troubles away from the courts.
Kyrgios is now to enter a 28-day absence from public life as he begins the legal battle which could see whether his professional tennis career will continue.
