Nick Kyrgios provisionally suspended for testing positive for cocaine

Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally suspended from tennis after testing positive for cocaine during a test carried out during the "Mallorca Open" on June 22nd.

In an Instagram post, Kyrgios himself said he had made "a huge mistake" and took "full responsibility" for it. "I'm sorry for my fans, my family, my sponsors and all the people close to me. Above all, I'm sorry for the kids who follow me. I know what an example all this represents and I'm deeply disappointed in myself," wrote the Australian player.

"I won't make excuses, but I want to give some context on what I've experienced. The last two years of injuries have had a huge impact on me, both physically and mentally. My body hasn't been able to do what my mind expects it to do, and accepting that I'm now near the end of my career has been harder than I ever imagined," added Kyrgios.

The Australian, a former Wimbledon finalist, added that "letting go of tennis, which has been my whole life, is one of the hardest things I have ever had to face. At times I felt helpless and alone. None of this justifies what I did. However, the good news is that this situation has given me a wake-up call."

For the next 28 days, he concludes, "I will distance myself from social media and public life, focusing on getting back on my feet. I ask people to respect my privacy during this period and, above all, that of my family. I'm sorry. I will do everything necessary and I will come back better than before".

Under the suspension, Kyrgios cannot play, train or even attend Grand Slam tournaments or any official events on professional circuits. The 31-year-old, who has had knee and wrist problems in recent years, has played just four singles matches this season. His last appearance dates back to Wimbledon, where he was eliminated in the first round in doubles, played together with Alexander Bublik.