Nick Kyrgios, shocking admission: “I tested positive for cocaine, and I apologize to everyone”

Shock in the tennis world: Nick Kyrgios admitted on Instagram that he had been suspended from the tour after testing positive for cocaine. In a story posted on his official profile, the Canberra native revealed what had happened to his fans and apologized for his actions.

“I wanted you to hear this from me first. I recently tested positive for cocaine during a drug test in Mallorca. I made a very serious mistake, and I take full responsibility for it. I apologize to my fans, my family, my sponsor, and everyone close to me. Above all, I apologize to my fans and the young people who look up to me. I am aware of the negative example this behavior sets, and I am deeply disappointed in myself. I don’t want to make excuses, but I want to explain the situation I found myself in.”

“The injuries over the past two years have weighed heavily on me, both physically and mentally. My body wasn’t able to do what my mind expected, and accepting that I’m now nearing the end of my career has been harder than I ever imagined. I’ve always said that I didn’t choose tennis—tennis chose me. But letting go of something that has been my whole life is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to face. At times, I’ve felt helpless and alone.”

“None of this justifies what I’ve done. However, the good news is that this has been a wake-up call for me. For the next 28 days, I’ll be stepping away from social media and public life to focus on regaining my balance. I ask that people respect my privacy during this time and, above all, that of my family. I’m sorry; I’ll work on myself and come back stronger. Nick.”

Shortly after Kyrgios’s announcement, the ITIA officially announced the player’s suspension, which began on August 4. The Australian tennis player had been one of Jannik Sinner’s most vocal critics after the South Tyrolean champion tested positive for Clostebol and was subsequently suspended for three months.