ATP Nick Kyrgios

Kyrgios escapes punishment with a surprising and short sanction

Pedro de Pablos - 4 Sep 2026
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Kyrgios escapes punishment with a surprising and short sanction. Source: Getty Images.

A few days ago, Nick Kyrgios made headlines by admitting that he tested positive for cocaine in a doping test conducted last June. Throughout, the Australian tennis player acknowledged his mistake and expressed regret, and a few days later, the ITIA officially announced the short and surprising sanction he will receive: only one month. In fact, the sanction ended on September 3, so he can return to play now.

 

 

This means that Kyrgios can return to the tour to play any available tournament, a decision that will likely have significant consequences. Sanctions for a positive test of this kind can extend up to two years, but if the player can prove that he consumed it out of competition, they are usually three months. Additionally, if he agrees to complete a rehabilitation program, the sanction would be reduced to one month. It has been reported that Nick himself claimed to the ITIA that he consumed cocaine several days before he was scheduled to play at ATP Mallorca, which explains the minimal punishment.

The circuit turns against Kyrgios

After the positive test announcement became official, several players criticized the Australian, who has always been a very controversial player and has shown no mercy in similar cases involving others, such as Simona Halep or Jannik Sinner. The first to speak out was his archrival Stefanos Tsitsipas, who admitted to not being surprised and said that what caught his attention was that it had not been discovered sooner.

Another player who also spoke about him was Karen Khachanov, who did not hold back and recalled all the times when the Australian had been critical of other players. Everything comes around. Despite Kyrgios returning to compete in September, his physical condition in recent years has left much to be desired, and with issues to his knee and wrist, many believe that his retirement is closer than ever. At least he can say goodbye on the court without having received a significant punishment.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Kyrgios se salva de la quema con una sorprendente y corta sanción