Kyrgios Could Cut Cocaine Ban to 1 Month From 4 Years
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Aug 20
Kyrgios Could Cut Cocaine Ban to 1 Month From 4 Years
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Aug 20
Summary
4 August marked the start of Nick Kyrgios' provisional suspension, but he could be cleared to return by 4 September if the ITIA accepts he took cocaine out of competition and enters treatment.
22 June is the key date: Kyrgios' Mallorca sample contained benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite, and the sanction now hinges on whether he can prove ingestion happened before his in-competition window.
3 months is the maximum ban if investigators accept out-of-competition use, avoiding an independent tribunal; if they do not, the penalty could stretch to four years.
2021 anti-doping rule changes make that shorter outcome possible: Morocco's Imran Sibille received a 1-month ban in 2025 after proving cocaine use days before a match and completing treatment.
The case carries added scrutiny because Kyrgios had blasted recent 1- to 3-month doping bans for Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek as overly lenient.