PREVIEW

Nick Kyrgios Admits ‘Huge Mistake’ After Cocaine Test and Tennis Suspension. Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended from professional tennis after testing positive for cocaine during an ATP 250 tournament in Mallorca on June 22. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed that a sample provided by the 31-year-old Australian contained benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine. The result was later confirmed by a World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited laboratory in July. Kyrgios revealed the positive test himself on Instagram, saying he had made a “huge mistake”, taking full responsibility and apologising to his fans, family, sponsors and young supporters. He said a series of injuries in recent years had taken a heavy physical and psychological toll, while acknowledging that these circumstances did not excuse his actions. The Australian said he would withdraw from social media and public life for 28 days to focus on his recovery, asking for privacy for himself and his family. His provisional suspension has been in place since August 4 and prevents him from playing, coaching at or attending events organised or sanctioned by tennis's major governing bodies. The eventual length of the ban will depend largely on whether the cocaine use is determined to have occurred in or out of competition. Under current rules, an out-of-competition offence involving cocaine can carry a three-month suspension, potentially reduced to one month with an approved rehabilitation programme.
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