Nick Kyrgios is under a provisional suspension from tennis after an anti-doping sample returned a positive result for cocaine, and the possible length of any ban now depends on how the case is handled.

The sample, taken on 22 June 2026, was found to contain benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine. That was the same day Kyrgios lost to Adam Walton in the opening round of the ATP 250 event in Mallorca, the last singles match he played. The 2022 Wimbledon finalist then lost in the first round of the Wimbledon doubles event with Alexander Bublik the following week.

Kyrgios also played three matches at the Ultimate Tennis Showdown exhibition in Rio de Janeiro last month.

In a statement, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said: “Cocaine is a stimulant and substance of abuse on the WADA Prohibited List and is banned in competition under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme.

“Because of the nature of the substance, a provisional suspension is mandatory and has been in place since 4 August 2026.”

Kyrgios has the right to appeal the provisional suspension, but he has not done so.

The former world No 13 could face a ban of up to four years, which is the maximum penalty for an anti-doping offence. If he can show the substance was taken outside competition, the maximum sanction would be three months.

After the positive test became public, Kyrgios posted on Instagram that he “made a huge mistake” and said: “I’ll do the work and come back better.”

Here is Kyrgios’ full statement:

“I wanted you to hear this from me first,” Kyrgios wrote.

“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. 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.

“I’m not going to make excuses, but I do want to give some context about where I’ve been. 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 helpless and alone. None of that excuses what I did.

“However, the good news is that this has given me a wake up call. For the next 28 days, I’ll be stepping away from social media and public life while I focus on getting myself right.

“I’d ask that people respect my privacy during that time, and most importantly the privacy of my family. I’m sorry. I’ll do the work and come back better.”

Coco Gauff has carried her strong North American hardcourt stretch into the Masters event, moving past Ann Li to book a place in the fourth round.

The American has already shown encouraging signs this swing, reaching the semi finals of the Canadian Open and then stringing together back-to-back wins in Cincinnati over Liudmilla Samsonova and Li to arrange a fourth round meeting with Marie Bouzkova.

With the US Open approaching, Gauff appears to be gathering momentum at the right time as she targets another Grand Slam breakthrough after her maiden triumph in 2023.

What stands out most is the improvement in her serve, an area that has caused her problems across the past few seasons. That part of her game has recently looked much more secure, a reflection of the work she has done with biomechanist Gavin MacMillan since the end of the 2024 season.

Speaking to The Tennis Channel about her serve, Gauff said: “I think today I was going for my serve a lot. I felt like new balls or faster conditions in a day compared to the night.

“So I felt like some of the doubles I didn’t mean to go for as much. And they just kind of flew off my racket. So I was just trying to adjust and mix it up. I think I could have mixed it up a little bit more today.

“I could have maybe thrown a little bit more kick serves today looking back at it. But overall, I’m still happy. The goal is to keep going for my serve. I feel like it’s becoming a real weapon for me.”

Even if it is not yet perfect, the serve is beginning to deliver as much as it costs her. Against Li, Gauff produced six aces and six double faults, yet she was never broken across either set.

She also won 68 per cent of her first service points, a strong indicator of how much progress she has made. For a player who has fought through serving issues for seasons, that is a significant development.

Gauff has not won a WTA Tour title this year, but she would appear well placed to change that before the season ends in November. The US Open remains another realistic target, though she has exited in the fourth round there in each of the past two seasons.

Carlos Alcaraz may yet appear at the US Open, although many around the sport still expect the final Grand Slam of 2026 not to serve as his comeback after a long injury absence.

The defending champion has not competed since hurting his wrist at the Barcelona Open in April. His decision to withdraw from the French Open and Wimbledon soon after underlined how serious the problem was.

In recent days, Alcaraz has increased his work as he builds toward a return. A headline-grabbing hitting session with Holger Rune earlier this week drew considerable attention when video from the practice court circulated on social media.

Rune is also working his way back after rupturing his Achilles tendon last November, and he too is considering whether a US Open appearance is realistic. For both players, a mixed doubles outing next week may be a more manageable first step before the main draw begins in New York on Sunday, August 30th.

Neither Alcaraz nor Rune is currently entered for the mixed doubles event, but the format could offer a lower-intensity setting to judge whether they are ready for the demands of the US Open. A return to best-of-five-set tennis after such lengthy time away would clearly carry risk.

There is also the possibility of strong exposure for both players’ sponsors if they reappear in New York in the mixed doubles. Alcaraz previously played with Britain’s Emma Raducanu, while Rune teamed with America’s Amanda Anisimova in last year’s event. Those matches were finished quickly, which is part of why the competition could suit a cautious comeback.

Reports indicate both men may still be granted wildcard access later this month, with USTA chiefs leaving that door open.

Alcaraz withdrew from this week’s Cincinnati Open, yet he still appears tempted by the idea of playing at Flushing Meadows. Former British No 1 Greg Rusedski, though, believes caution is the wiser route.

“You can count the US Open out now. There is no way he’s gonna play in the US Open if he’s missing Cincinnati,” said Rusedski on the latest edition of his podcast.

He added that the length of the absence suggests something more serious than simple inflammation and said he would be surprised to see Alcaraz return in New York.