Former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended from tennis after testing positive for cocaine, with the Australian admitting responsibility and describing the incident as a "huge mistake".The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced on Wednesday that the 31-year-old returned a positive test for benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite, from a sample collected during an ATP 250 event in Mallorca in June.Kyrgios has been under provisional suspension since August 4, after a World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited laboratory confirmed the adverse analytical finding on July 17.In a statement posted on Instagram, Kyrgios apologised to fans, family and sponsors."I recently failed a drug test in Mallorca after testing positive for cocaine. I made a huge mistake and I take full responsibility for it."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."Cocaine is classified by the World Anti-Doping Agency as both a stimulant and a substance of abuse and is prohibited in competition under tennis anti-doping regulations.Kyrgios, who reached a career-high world ranking of No. 13 and was runner-up at Wimbledon in 2022, said he was not seeking excuses but explained that recent injury setbacks had affected him physically and mentally."The last couple of years of injuries have taken a huge toll on me, both physically and mentally."My body hasn't been able to do what my mind expects it to do and coming to terms with being near the end of my career has been harder than I ever imagined."The Australian added that stepping away from a sport that had defined much of his life had been a difficult process.While suspended, Kyrgios is barred from playing in, coaching at or attending events organised by the ATP, WTA, Grand Slam tournaments, World Tennis or national tennis associations.The former Australian Open doubles champion said he would take a 28-day break from social media and public life to focus on his wellbeing."I'm sorry. I'll do the work and come back better."
