Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios has been temporarily suspended after testing positive for cocaine in a doping test last June during a tournament in Mallorca. This was announced on Wednesday by the ITIA, the International Tennis Integrity Agency, and the athlete himself through a long message on his social media.
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“I wanted you to hear it from me first. I recently tested positive for cocaine in a drug test in Mallorca. I made a big mistake and take full responsibility for it,” begins the text in which the tennis player apologizes and tries to explain the reasons that led him to this situation. “I apologize to my fans, family, sponsors, and all my close ones. Above all, I am sorry for the kids who follow me. I know the example I set and I am deeply disappointed in myself.”
The injuries of the last two years have taken a toll on me, both physically and mentally
Kyrgios, 31, reached number 13 in the world tennis rankings in 2016, but has been hampered by injuries for years, going through a real ordeal, as the athlete acknowledged after his sanction was announced: “I’m not going to make excuses, but I want to explain a bit of the context I found myself in. The injuries of the last two years have taken a toll on me, both physically and mentally. My body was not able to do what my mind intended and approaching the end of my career has been much harder than I ever imagined.”
This year he has practically not played, participating in the ATP 250 tournaments in Brisbane in January, and Stuttgart and Mallorca in June, always being eliminated in the early rounds. “I have 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 have had to face. At times I have felt helpless and alone,” he explains before adding that “none of this excuses what I did.”
During the suspension, the extent of which will be communicated to him in the coming days, Kyrgios will not be able to play, train, or attend any event organized or sanctioned by World Tennis, the WTA, the ATP, the Grand Slams, or any national federation. The tennis player has decided to step away from the spotlight for the next month to recover: “The good news is that all this has been a wake-up call. For the next 28 days I will be off social media and public life while I focus on recovering.” “I’m sorry. I will do the work and come back better,” concludes the Australian.
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