NICK KYRGIOS’ SUSPENSION SHELVES HIM FOR 2016, IT ENDS HIS WORLD TOUR TENNIS FINALS

Written by: Staff on 18th October 2016

NICK KYRGIOS' SUSPENSION SHELVES HIM FOR 2016, IT ENDS HIS WORLD TOUR TENNIS FINALS

epa05523129 Nick Kyrgios, of Australia, hits a return to Illya Marchenko, of Ukraine, on the sixth day of the US Open Tennis Championships at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 03 September 2016. The US Open runs through September 11. EPA/JUSTIN LANE |

Kyrgios’ suspension shelves him for 2016, ends World Tour Finals chances

By Ricky Dimon

Nick Kyrgios was suspended for eight weeks by the ATP Tour on Monday as a result of “conduct contrary to the integrity of the game.” Kyrgios clearly tanked a second-round match against Mischa Zverev at last week’s Shanghai Rolex Masters, where he lost 6-3, 6-1 in 48 minutes.

The 21-year-old can have his ban reduced to three weeks if he agrees to enter “a plan of care under the direction of a sports psychologist or an equivalent plan approved by the ATP.” Either way, Kyrgios’ 2016 campaign is over and his chances of booking a spot in the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals are gone. Even if the Australian chooses not see a psychologist and accepts the longer eight-week suspension, he can return just in time for the 2017 Australian Open.

Kyrgios was also fined $25,000.

Nick Kyrgios of Australia hits a return to Gilles Muller of Luxembourg during their men’s singles quarterfinal match at the Japan Open Tennis Championships in Tokyo, Japan, 07 October 2016. EPA/KIYOSHI OTA

“Following the ATP’s decision today I would like to take this opportunity to [apologize] again for the circumstances in Shanghai,” Kyrgios posted in a statement. “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 in other parts of the world–as well as the tournament [organizers] in Shanghai who do an amazing job.

“I of course know how important the fans are to the success of our sport and I personally love the interaction with fans in the many different cities throughout the world on the tennis circuit. I am someone who gives a huge amount of time to my fans because I love and value their support. Their energy is what motivates me to reach for the top of the game.

“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.”

The world No. 14 is 12th in the race to London and had a realistic shot of at least being the first alternate. He is just 420 points behind No. 9 Tomas Berdych, who is followed closely by David Goffin and Marin Cilic. Dominic Thiem, who holds the all-important eighth spot, is 325 points ahead of Berdych.