SYDNEY: Australia’s Nick Kyrgios was cleared on Friday to return to tennis after accepting a one-month ban for using cocaine and entering a treatment programme.

The 31-year-old, who reached the final at Wimbledon in 2022, failed a doping test during an ATP event in Mallorca on June 22.

He was provisionally suspended on August 4 by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), admitting he made “a huge mistake”.

In a statement on Friday, the doping agency said Kyrgios had explained his use of the drug occurred socially during a night out before he was due to play in Mallorca.

The ITIA consulted an independent scientific expert at a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-accredited laboratory, who found his explanation was consistent with the level of cocaine found in his sample.

“As a result, the ITIA accepted that Kyrgios’ use of cocaine was outside of competition,” the ITIA said.

Under WADA rules, the default suspension for a breach of this type is three months, which can be reduced to one month if an individual commits to a treatment programme.

“Kyrgios has entered into a treatment programme,” the ITIA added.

“As such, the player’s suspension will end on September 3, 2026, subject to completion of the programme. Prize-money and ranking points from the Mallorca event will be forfeited.”

Boasting a big serve and booming ground strokes, Kyrgios has won seven singles titles on the ATP Tour and rose to a high of 13 in the world in 2016. He is now ranked 918.

His finest performance was on the grass at Wimbledon in 2022, when he reached the championship match, losing in four sets to Novak Djokovic.

Despite his natural talents that is as good as it got, with a series of injuries taking their toll.

He has had numerous surgeries, the most serious a complete reconstruction of his right wrist in 2024.

The Australian last played as a wildcard entry in the men’s doubles at Wimbledon in July this year, when he and partner Alexander Bublik lost in the first round.

Kyrgios was contrite when the news of his cocaine use emerged last month.

“I recently failed a drug test in Mallorca after testing positive for cocaine,” he posted on Instagram at the time. “I made a huge mistake and I take full responsibility for it.

“I’m sorry to my fans, my family, my sponsors and everyone close to me. Above all, I’m sorry to the kids who follow me. I know the example this sets and I’m deeply disappointed in myself.”

Published in Dawn, September 5th, 2026