Nick Kyrgios has been banned from the pro tennis tour effective immediately following an on-court meltdown in Shanghai.
The 21-year-old Australian became the subject of an ATP investigation after he was accused of blatantly dropping points in his straight sets loss to Mischa Zverev of Germany at the Shanghai Masters last week, a match that also saw him argue with a tennis fan and be reprimanded by the umpire who told him: “Nick, you can’t play like that.”
On Monday the tennis pro was found guilty of “Conduct Contrary to the Integrity of the Game”, carrying a $US25,000 fine.
Kyrgios’s eight week ban could through to January but he can return after three if he “enters a plan of care under the direction of a Sports Psychologist”.
In a statement Kyrgios expressed his disappointment and sighted battling “several injuries and other challenges towards the end of the summer”. He also said: “This is no excuse.”
He added: “I regret that my year is ending this way and that I will not have a chance to continue chasing the ATP Finals. This was an important goal for me. I do understand and respect the decision by the ATP and I will use this time off to improve on and off the court. I am truly sorry and look forward to returning in 2017.”
VIDEO: Nick Kyrgios loses his cool again at Wimbledon
