The Australian tennis pro Nick Kyrgios got off lightly after his break at the Masters in Cincinnati, Ohio in mid-August. Only at the next misconduct will the world ranking 27. suspended for 16 tournament weeks and must pay $ 25,000 penalty. The player organization ATP used the probation for six months.
Kyrgios had destroyed two of his thugs in the catacombs in Cincinnati during the second-round match against Russian Karen Khachanov after refusing to allow him a toilet break due to lack of time by Irish chairman Fergus Murphy. He had also spit in the direction of the referee, insulted him and put on with the audience.
The ATP awarded the 24-year-old after the tournament with a fine of $ 113,000, then attacked Kyrgios the Association. At the US Open, he described the ATP as "pretty corrupt". A little later he apologized via Twitter: "not the right choice of words." The ATP saw in the verbal attack "no serious offense".
Rod Laver called for suspension
Australia's tennis idol Rod Laver had previously called for a suspension for his compatriot. "He could have become a great champion because of his serve qualities or could become one more, but his brain is in his way, he does not want to abide by the rules or the referees," said the eleven-time Grand Slam champion. Everything they tried did not work, a suspension would be the only answer. "
The ATP now saw that, but made conditions for Kyrgios: be accompanied by a mental trainer on the ATP tour, and he also has to work with a behavioral psychologist during the preparation for the season in November and December.
Kyrgios had already been conspicuous on and off the field in the past. In 2016, the ATP locked him for eight weeks, then praised Kyrgios improvement. After undergoing sports psychological treatment, ATP reduced the lock to three weeks.
In February, tennis star Rafael Nadal accused him of a defeat lacking respect "in front of the public, the opponent and even to himself".