Tennis bad boy Nick Kyrgios banned three months for tantrum, urged to see psychologist
It takes a while, but sometimes even tennis can get things right.
Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios was banned for three months (or eight tournament weeks) and suspended an additional $25,000 for his performance at last week's Shanghai Masters, during which he was verbally abusive to fans, argued with the chair umpire and, worst of all, tanked the match with such childish defiance (serving like he was playing ping pong and walking off the court before points were complete, for example). Officially, the ATP called it "Conduct Contrary to the Integrity of the Game," weird capitalizations and all.
But - and there's always a but with these odd, incongruous tennis punishments - Kyrgios will have his suspension lowered to just three weeks if he "enters a plan of care under the direction of a Sports Psychologist," something to which the Aussie has agreed, according to Tennis Australia.
It's an interesting clause in the suspension - an enticement to receive some tough love. This makes far more sense than just subjecting Kyrgios to a fine. Getting him help is far better than taking the tiniest dent from his checkbook. It's especially fascinating for tennis, a sport that disciplines its players like a grandma does her grandkids.
Andy Murray has basically suggested this course of action in comments made this week.
"Whether a fine is the best way to discipline young players, I don't know," Murray said at that same Shanghai tournament.
"Sometimes the mental health of players is not really discussed because we're supposed to be mentally strong," he said. "If you are seen to be talking about feelings or not believing in yourself or struggling to cope with pressure, that's seen as a negative."
Kyrgios seemed to agree with Murray, though whether it was for the suggestion of receiving help for the stresses of one of the most stressful sports or saving him money. It was tough to decipher through all the booze emojis.
Cheers @andy_murray // someone with a bit of perspective...
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) October 14, 2016
Kyrgios had already been fined $16,500 for the Shanghai antics.
The statement released by Team Kyrgios was PR 101, contrite, but only vaguely apologetic.
Whether he accepts the compassion of the ATP or not, Kyrgios still will return in 2017 (there's only three weeks left of regular tournaments this year anyway) - it's just a matter of whether it's in the opening weeks or just before the Australian Open. Three months is hardly enough time for an attitude overhaul but Kyrgios might only need some fine-tuning. His passion and talent have gotten him this far. If he can tone down the drama, the top 10 awaits.
