Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Fallen Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has entered a treatment program after accepting a one-month ban for testing positive to cocaine.
After admitting his “huge mistake” when initially suspended for failing a drugs test on June 22 at an ATP 250 tournament in Spain, Kyrgios is allowed to compete again from Friday.
Kyrgios, who had been provisionally suspended since August 4, had faced a ban ranging from a baseline three-month period to up to four years.
The 2022 Wimbledon finalist also forefeited the 6570 euros he won in Mallorca for losing in the first round to countryman Adam Walton.
But his suspension was reduced for agreeing to enter a treatment program.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said the 2022 Wimbledon finalist, whose career world ranking peaked at No.13, could appeal against the provisional suspension but he opted against doing so.
“I recently failed a drug test in Mallorca after testing positive for cocaine,” Kyrgios posted on Instagram last month.
“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 played only four official singles matches on the elite ATP Tour this year, has battled knee and wrist injuries in recent years and has all but conceded he is finished as a singles force.
“I’m not going to make excuses, but I do want to give some context about where I’ve been,” he wrote.
“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.”
But the polarising Canberra-born drawcard said that didn’t excuse his actions.
“I’ve always said I didn’t choose tennis – tennis chose me,” he wrote.
“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.”
Kyrgios said “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.”
The ITIA said Kyrgios was suspensed for a positive test for benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite, with a World Anti-Doping Agency laboratory confirming the positive result on July 17.
The 31-year-old was banned from playing, coaching or attending any tournaments sanctioned by the men’s and women’s tennis tours worldwide and national-level events in Australia.
Kyrgios last played in the men’s doubles at Wimbledon in London on July 2, when he and partner Alexander Bublik lost in the first round.
