ATP Suspends Flopper Nick Kyrgios for ‘Conduct Contrary to the Integrity of the Game’

The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) suspended Nick Kyrgios for the rest of the season and fined him $25,000 for “Conduct Contrary to the Integrity of the Game.”

Said conduct involved the Aussie essentially quitting at the Shanghai Masters last week. He lobbed amateurish serves at opponent Mischa Zverev, walked away in response to his opponent’s serves, and did not bother to even feign effort when the German hit the ball to his side of the court. He also engaged in a verbal altercation with a fan objecting to his antics.

In a sport whose history boasts an excess share of bratty behavior, tennis saw history made when Kyrgios engaged in a tantrum in an effort to lose rather than win. Whereas, say, John McEnroe whined about calls not going his way, Kyrgios made sure the match went his opponent’s way.

The ATP informed:

The offense means that Kyrgios receives an additional fine of US$ 25,000, and is suspended from ATP tournaments for eight tournament weeks, effective from today, Monday 17 October, 2016, through to Sunday 15 January, 2017.

However, the suspension will be reduced to three tournament weeks upon agreement that the player enters a plan of care under the direction of a Sports Psychologist, or an equivalent plan approved by ATP, meaning Kyrgios could regain eligibility to compete on the ATP World Tour or Challenger Tour from Monday 7 November, 2016.

Kyrgios had already been fined a total of US$ 16,500 for breaches of the ATP Code of Conduct by the ATP Supervisors on-site in Shanghai. He received the on-site maximum fine of US$ 10,000 for violations of the Best Efforts provision in the Code, as well as a US$ 5,000 fine for Verbal Abuse of a Spectator, and a US$ 1,500 fine for Unsportsmanlike Conduct.

The 21-going-on-12 pro offered an apology.

“Following the ATP’s decision today I would like to take this opportunity to apologise again for the circumstances in Shanghai,” Kyrgios explained on his website. “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 in other parts of the world – as well as the tournament organisers in Shanghai who do an amazing job.”