Kyrgios provisionally suspended after testing positive for cocaine

Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios was provisionally barred from the sport after testing positive for cocaine, according to the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). The 31-year-old admitted to his "huge mistake" in a public apology on Instagram. The International Tennis Integrity Agency confirmed the suspension following a positive test for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, from a sample collected during an ATP 250 event in Mallorca in June.

Kyrgios, who once held a career-high ranking of 13, has been suspended since August 4, following confirmation from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) laboratory on July 17. "I recently failed a drug test in Mallorca after testing positive for cocaine. I made a huge mistake and I take full responsibility for it," Kyrgios said on Instagram.

He expressed regret to his fans, family, sponsors and those close to him, as well as to the young people who look up to him. He acknowledged the example his actions set and expressed deep disappointment in himself. Cocaine is listed as a stimulant and substance of abuse on the WADA Prohibited List and is prohibited in competition under tennis anti-doping rules.