Nick Kyrgios suspended after testing positive for cocaine
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Nick Kyrgios suspended after testing positive for cocaine

Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios has been placed under a provisional suspension by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) after testing positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine. The sample was collected on June 22 during the ATP 250 tournament in Mallorca and confirmed by a WADA-accredited laboratory on July 17. The suspension officially took effect on August 4.

Under the terms of the provisional ban, the 31-year-old former world No. 13 is prohibited from competing, training, or attending any Grand Slam tournaments or professional events sanctioned by the ATP and WTA tours. Kyrgios has the right to appeal the decision, though he has not yet taken any action to challenge the ruling. He has, however, publicly admitted to the violation, characterizing his actions as a "huge mistake" and accepting full responsibility in a statement posted on social media.

The athlete, who has struggled with chronic knee and wrist injuries throughout the current season, cited the physical and mental toll of these setbacks as contributing factors. Kyrgios has previously been a controversial figure in the sport, with a history of disciplinary issues and past legal allegations involving domestic disputes, for which he was not criminally convicted.

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