Australian tennis ace Nick Kyrgios has been provisionally banned by the ATP until January 15th, 2017 following a review of his woeful behaviour at the Shanghai Masters.
The ban of eight tournament weeks could be reduced to just three if Kyrgios agrees to meet with a sports psychologist.
He will also cop a $33,000 additional fine for ‘Conduct contrary to the integrity of the game’.
His regrettable actions came against 29-year-old, lowly ranked German, Mischa Zverev. In just the fifth game of the match, the Australian served a lollipop serve, gifting Zverev the game as Kyrgios wandered back to his chair before the German had struck the ball.
The Australian initially partially denied the tanking before taking to social media admitting his fault and apologising.
There were several other incidents of tanking throughout the match. Nick Kyrgios also verbally abused a spectator and in the post-match press conference said he didn’t owe the spectators anything and that they shouldn’t pay for his ticket if they aren’t prepared for his usual unpredictability.
The ban rules him out of making an unlikely bid for the season-ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals with the last tournament to conclude while he still serves out his ban.
Tennis Australia has indicated its overwhelming support for the decision of the ATP.
A statement released by the world number 14 on Monday suggest he isn’t willing to take the protocols to reduce his ban by quoting he looks forward to returning in 2017.
The statement also apologised for his actions but also tried to lighten the criticism by saying it has been a long year where he has battled several injuries and challenges.
FULL STATEMENT:
“Following the ATP’s decision today I would like to take this opportunity to apologise again for the circumstances in Shanghai.
“The season has been a long one as I battled several injuries and other challenges towards the end of the summer.
“The Asian circuit was particularly tough after the long week and win in Tokyo and with the travel throughout the continent, my body finally just gave out in Shanghai both physically and mentally.
“This is no excuse, and I know very well that I need to apologise to the fans – in Shanghai and other parts of the world – as well as the tournament organisers in Shanghai who do an amazing job.
“I of course know how important the fans are to the success of our sport and I personally love the interaction with fans in the many different cities throughout the world on the tennis circuit.
“I am someone who gives a huge amount of time to my fans because I love and value their support.
“Their energy is what motivates me to reach for the top of the game.
“I regret that my year is ending this way and that I will not have a chance to continue chasing the ATP Finals. This was an important goal for me.
“I do understand and respect the decision by the ATP and I will use this time off to improve on and off the court.”
Amazingly, less than a week before his antics, Kyrgios stormed the Japan Open to win, and appeared to be in an awesome frame of mind to finish the year off positively.
This is both the second time he has tanked on the ATP World Tour and second time he received a ban. Last year at Wimbledon he clearly tanked after the chair umpire gave him a code violation but got off with a fine.
Later last year he was banned for 28 days after he sledged Stan Wawrinka, stating that his good mate Thanasi Kokkanakis had ‘banged’ his girlfriend.
Stan Wawrinka retired from the match but in a post-match press conference genuinely appeared to not have heard the sledge.
Men’s world number one and two, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, both said he had a lot to learn and had to mature with Novak Djokovic also saying that Nick Kyrgios and controversy are often in the same sentence. Both suggested he was a great young prospect.
With three titles to his name and quarter final appearances at Grand Slam events, there is no doubting is skill.
Ten minutes of watching him, which is beyond many people, makes you realise what talent he has.
But will he be able to mature and adapt his mental state for good reasons and reach his outstanding potential or will he follow through on his words by quitting at a young age?
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