Nick Kyrgios disappearing after suspension for positive cocaine test: Wake up call

Nick Kyrgios admitted he tested positive for cocaine, citing the incident as a “wake up call” Wednesday after feeling “helpless and alone.”The fiery former Wimbledon finalist came clean on his Instagram Story and has been provisionally suspended since Aug.4 after failing a drug test on June 22 during the lower-tier grass court event in Mallorca, Spain.Kyrgios is confronted with a ban from tennis that ranges from three months to four years.

If it’s found he did not use the drug during competition, a lower sanction could be applied.The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) stated the 31-year-old could appeal against the provisional suspension, but he has yet to do so.“I recently failed a drug test in Mallorca after testing positive for cocaine,” Kyrgios wrote on Instagram.

“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.”Kyrgios, who once reached No.13, is now ranked 919th.His best year came in 2022, when he won the Australian Open men’s doubles final with Thanasi Kokkinakis and made a men’s singles finals appearance at Wimbledon but lost to Novak Djokovic.Since then, the Aussie’s career has been derailed by injuries, which he admitted were difficult to come to terms with.“I’m not going to make excuses, but I do want to give some context about where I’ve been,” he continued.

“The last couple of years of injuries have taken a huge toll on me, both physically and mentally.My body hasn’t been able to do what my mind expects it to do, and coming to terms with being near the end of my career has been harder than I ever imagined.“I’ve always said I didn’t choose tennis — tennis chose me.

But letting go of something that has been my whole life is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to face.At times I’ve felt...