Nick Kyrgios suspended for one month after positive cocaine test
Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios has agreed to a reduced one-month suspension for violating anti-doping rules after testing positive for cocaine at the ATP tournament in Mallorca, Spain, in June. This was reported by Channel NewsAsia, citing the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).
Reduced sanction period
The 31-year-old tennis player’s provisional suspension has been in effect since August 4. Under World Anti-Doping Agency rules, the standard sanction period was three months, but the ITIA reduced it to one month after Kyrgios began an agency-approved treatment programme.
The ITIA said the suspension period is due to end on Thursday, provided that the programme is completed. Kyrgios will also forfeit the prize money and ranking points earned at the tournament in Mallorca.
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The tennis player’s explanation
During a conversation with ITIA investigators, Kyrgios explained that he used cocaine during a night out before his scheduled match in Mallorca. The ITIA consulted an independent scientific expert from a WADA-accredited laboratory. According to the expert’s conclusion, the tennis player’s explanation was consistent with the level of cocaine detected in his sample.
The agency accepted the explanation that the cocaine use took place out of competition. Cocaine is prohibited during competition. Last month, Kyrgios apologised on social media for the positive doping test, calling it a “big mistake” and stating that he takes full responsibility.
