Nick Kyrgios says persistent injuries and the impending end of his tennis career led to a positive cocaine test result.
Australian, He is currently ranked 919th in the world after peaking at number 13 in 2016a sample at the Mallorca Open in June that was later found to contain benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine.
His temporary suspension began on August 4, and he has so far chosen not to appeal.
Writing on InstagramHe said: “I made a huge mistake and I take full responsibility for it. I’m sorry to my fans, my family, my sponsors and everyone else close to me. Above all, I’m sorry to the kids who follow me. I know the example this sets and I’m very disappointed in myself.”
“I’m not going to make excuses, but I want to give some context about where I’ve been. The injuries the last couple of years have taken a toll on me physically and mentally. My body hasn’t been able to do what my mind expects me to do. Coming to the end of my career has been harder to cope with than I could have imagined.”
“I’ve always said that I didn’t choose tennis, tennis chose me. But letting go of something that was my whole life is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to face. At times I felt so helpless and alone.”
Kyrgios has never shied away from controversy
Kyrgios, 31, has been a controversial figure in the tennis world since he burst onto the scene in 2013.
He has won seven ATP Tour singles titles and reached the Wimbledon final in 2022. But his undoubted ability has often been overshadowed by a series of events that have tarnished his reputation.
He was fined for making obscene remarks about Donna Vekic, Stanislas Wawrinka’s then-girlfriend, during a match against the Swiss in 2015, and was disqualified at the 2019 Rome Masters for throwing a chair onto the court.
Away from sport, he admitted assaulting his ex-girlfriend but avoided a criminal conviction. He was also criticized for sharing a post from self-proclaimed misogynist Andrew Tate.
However, Kyrgios has been an advocate for mental health charities after admitting he contemplated suicide after losing at Wimbledon in 2019.
