ATP tells Kyrgios to seek help
Print Edition
TENNIS Australia said yesterday “bad boy” Nick Kyrgios will seek a reduced ATP ban and see a sports psychologist to avoid a longer suspension.
The ATP has ordered Kyrgios to see a sports psychologist or face an eight-week ban after his tantrum at the Shanghai Rolex Masters last week.
A TA spokeswoman said Kyrgios had agreed to seek help, but the 21-year-old’s season was over once the reduced three-week ban expires on November 7. “We have spoken to his management and Nick has agreed to seek the help of a sports psychologist and will now be available to play in the Hopman Cup in early January,” she said.
The Hopman Cup mixed teams event is in Perth from January 1-7 ahead of next year’s opening grand slam the Australian Open in Melbourne on January 16.
Kyrgios has apologized for his controversial on-court behavior after the ATP hit him with the conditional eight-week ban and further fines yesterday. The tennis tour organizers added US$25,000 to a US$16,500 penalty ordered last week and said the eight-week ban would be reduced to three weeks if he “enters a plan of care under the direction of a sports psychologist, or an equivalent plan approved by ATP.”
“Nick’s conduct in Shanghai was unacceptable, disrespectful to the sport and its fans,” said ATP executive chairman Chris Kermode. “Nick is a phenomenal talent and our hope is that he uses this time away from the tour constructively...”
Kyrgios, who has courted unwanted headlines in his short but stormy career, apologized in a statement and said he would use the time to “improve on and off the court.”
“Following the ATP’s decision today I would like to take this opportunity to apologize again for the circumstances in Shanghai,” he said.
“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 apologize to the fans — in Shanghai and other parts of the world — as well as the tournament organizers in Shanghai who do an amazing job.”
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