The ATP have slapped Nick Kyrgios with a further $25,000 fine and 16-week suspension, though he will only face the punishment if he fails to serve out a six-month probationary period.
The Australian landed himself in hot water at the Cincinnati Masters, handed a $113,000 fine after repeatedly clashing with umpire Fergus Murphy, calling him a ‘f***ing tool’ and spitting in his direction.
Later, at the US Open, he was asked for his thoughts on the fine he received and described the ATP, the governing body of men’s tennis, as ‘pretty corrupt’. The ATP launched an investigation into his behaviour over the past 12 months and have decided he warrants further punishment, constituting a $25,000 fine, 16-week ATP suspension and probationary period of six months.
Both the fine and suspension have been deferred, however, pending Kyrgios’ compliance with a host of conditions during his probation period, which applies to all ATP Tour matches. The Aussie must not incur any further code violations for the following: verbal or physical abuse of officials or spectators, unsportsmanlike conduct based on an act – such as spitting – or directing visible obscenities towards an official.
He will also have to received continued support from a mental coach while competing at ATP events and work with a professional specialising in behavioural management during the off-season. The fine and suspension will be lifted at the end of the six months if he meets those conditions, while he has five working days to lodge an appeal.
The ATP also looked into the comments he made about the ATP but, following a clarification issued by Kyrgios later in the day, decided the incident ‘did not constitute a Player Major Offence’ and there was no additional penalty applied. Kyrgios is yet to response to the ruling, though revealed early on Thursday morning that he will not play the rest of the season and is returning to Australia.
‘Unfortunately a collarbone injury I sustained at Laver Cup has escalated and has forced me to pull out of the Asian swing,’ he tweeted. ‘I’ll be heading back to Australia to rest and recover. See you all soon.’
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