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One-month cocaine ban
Nick Kyrgios accepted a reduced one-month suspension from the International Tennis Integrity Association after testing positive for cocaine at an ATP Tour event in Mallorca, Spain in June, with the ITIA saying he had been provisionally suspended since August 4.
“Kyrgios has accepted and served a reduced, one-month suspension”
The ITIA said Kyrgios told investigators his use of cocaine had "occurred socially" during a night out before he was due to play in Mallorca, and after consulting an independent scientific expert at a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-accredited laboratory, it accepted his use was outside of competition.
Sky Sports reported that Kyrgios entered a treatment programme approved by the ITIA to reduce the three-month default suspension under WADA rules, and that his suspension ends on Thursday subject to completion of the programme.
The BBC also framed the case around the ITIA’s decision to allow Kyrgios to return, noting the government of the sanction timeline as the suspension period concluded.
Bleacher Report added that Kyrgios’ prize money and rankings points from the Mallorca event are forfeited, and that he lost his only match to countryman Adam Walton.
Voices and reactions
Sky Sports quoted Annabel Croft describing Kyrgios as a "tormented soul" who could now face criticism after he had previously fired arrows at other players in high-profile doping cases.
Croft added that "There is a lot of criticism being thrown at him right now" because Kyrgios had been the one criticizing others who were banned, and now the attention is directed back at him.
Ryan Harrison, also cited by Sky Sports, said "It is disappointing" and argued Kyrgios must strike the right balance between responsibilities on court and downtime off it.
The Independent reported that US Open player Stefanos Tsitsipas said the positive test result was "pretty much expected" and claimed he was already aware of Kyrgios's off-court behaviour before the official announcement.
ESPN reported that Tsitsipas said he was "surprised it came so late" and also said he knew about the situation before any announcement was made.
Return and forfeits
The Guardian said Kyrgios entered a treatment program after accepting a one-month ban for testing positive for cocaine, and it described the ITIA’s acceptance that his use was outside of competition.
“forfeited the 6570 euros he won in Mallorca”
The Guardian also reported that Kyrgios forfeited the 6570 euros he won in Mallorca for losing in the first round to countryman Adam Walton, while the ITIA said the default suspension could be reduced to one month if the individual commits to an approved treatment program.
According to Sky Sports, Kyrgios’ sample tested positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, and the ITIA said his suspension ends on Thursday subject to completion of the programme.
ESPN said Kyrgios is officially allowed to play again starting Friday, and it stated that if the test had been conducted in competition he could have faced a four-year ban.
The New York Times added that Kyrgios called his decision to take the drug at the Mallorca Championships a "huge mistake" and said he would forfeit the rankings points and prize money he earned there, which amounted to just under $7,650.