Same cocaine offence, different punishment: Australian challenges Kyrgios ban

Australian tennis player Omar Jasika said it Nick Kyrgios’ cocaine ban reduced forced him to reconsider his own two-year ban after testing positive for the same substance in 2018, stressing that his comments were not an attack on his countryman.

Nick Kyrgios’ initial three-month suspension it was shortened to one month after he entered an approved treatment program under the current rules of the tennis anti-doping program. The former world number 13 was cleared to return to competition after completing the programme.

Jasika, who was banned for two years after testing positive in 2018, said he was pleased Kyrgios had been given the opportunity to seek treatment and continue his career. But the rule change also prompted him to question whether players penalized under the previous system were getting a fair result.

“First off, this is not an attack on Nick. He’s my friend and I wholeheartedly support him,” Jasika wrote in an Instagram post. “I’m glad he was given the opportunity to enter a treatment program, take care of himself and move forward in his life and career.

“But when I saw the news today, it brought a lot to me.

‘YOU COST ME FOUR YEARS OF MY CAREER’

Jasika accepted responsibility for his own offense and served his entire two-year sentence. He said the timing of the ban, soon followed by the COVID-19 pandemic, ended up costing him nearly four years of his career.

“In 2018, I received a two-year ban after testing positive for the same substance,” he said. “I have accepted responsibility for my actions and served every day of this suspension. Because COVID came shortly after I was unable to return, I lost almost four years of my career during some of the most important years of my life.”

The 29-year-old said his issue was not Kyrgios getting a shorter sentence. Instead, he wished there were equal treatment options when he was sanctioned.

“Today the rules have changed. A player in a similar situation can be banned from entering an approved treatment program for a month,” Jasika said. “I’m not saying Nick should have received a longer ban. I don’t believe that at all. I’m saying I wish the same help and understanding was available to me.”

Jasika said he was not offered treatment or what he believed to be a clear path back to professional tennis when he was suspended.

“I made a mistake and I deserved the consequences, but to lose two years of my career was incredibly difficult,” he said. “I wasn’t offered treatment or a clear path back at the time. I was simply removed from the sport and left to deal with everything that came with it.”

The former Australian junior No.1 said he welcomed the evolution of the anti-doping system towards rehabilitation, but questioned what might have happened if the measures had been in place eight years ago.

“I’m glad the system has changed and is now more focused on helping the players, but it’s hard to wonder how different my life and career could have been if the same opportunities had been there for me,” he said.

Jasika and Kyrgios are also well aware of the controversy. The pair were doubles partners at the 2016 Australian Open and Jasika made it clear his comments were not intended to undermine Kyrgios’ comeback.

“It’s not me against Nick,” he said. “I’m the one who questions whether the sentence I received was fair and whether the people affected by the old rules deserve to have their cases heard again.”

– The end

Issued by:

Akshay Ramesh

Published on:

04 Sep 2026 18:21 IST