Nick Kyrgios has "escaped suspension," but was fined $16,500 for "three code of conduct breaches after an on-site ATP investigation" into his second-round loss to Mischa Zverev at the Shanghai Rolex Masters, according to Linda Pearce of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. A $10,000 portion of the fine is for "Lack of Best Efforts," while $5,000 was for "verbal abuse of a spectator." The balance "was for unsportsmanlike conduct," as Kyrgios "received a code violation for swearing during the 48-minute match." Top-ranked player Novak Djokovic said Kyrgios "obviously had some life lessons to learn" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 10/14). ESPN's J.A. Adande said the "one thing that fans are entitled to when they buy the ticket is full effort from the professionals that they come out to watch play, and Kyrgios isn’t giving that." The Dallas Morning News’ Tim Cowlishaw: “This is horrible for tennis. People used to call him the future of tennis. I don’t know if anybody’s saying that anymore” (“Around The Horn,” ESPN, 10/12). ESPN's Michael Wilbon said Kyrgios should have been suspended, and the money he earns "comes from these advertisers and these patrons who are receiving less than full effort" ("PTI," ESPN, 10/12). In Australia, Tom Heenan wrote Kyrgios should have received the "heftiest fine and a lengthy suspension." Despite all his past on- and off-court transgressions, Kyrgios is "still yet to be suspended from the ATP Tour." The reason is because tennis "actually needs Kyrgios more than he needs it." Heenan: "It's not the flotilla of ageing stars that will bring future fans through the gates or to screens. It’s Kyrgios." He has the skill and "NBA attitude to attract a new market to tennis" (THENEWDAILY.com.au, 10/13).
THAT'S HIS APPEAL: ESPN's Rachel Nichols noted people "love seeing what this guy is going to do next." While he at times "goes too far," he "adds a little spice to a sport that frankly could use it sometimes” ("PTI," ESPN, 10/12). ESPN’s Dan Le Batard said fans "tend to like bad boys," though usually "not when they‘re quitting, we don’t love that." Le Batard: "If you’re going to give us that attitude, that’s something that people will absolutely look forward to find in tennis." The sport is "more interesting when you got personality” ("Highly Questionable," ESPN, 10/12). ESPN’s Marcellus Wiley noted tennis is an individual sport, so he only "has to be accountable to himself." Wiley: "It’s just himself that he’s putting in this bad position, not the sport. It’s his money he’s messing with, not tennis’ economy.” But ESPN’s LZ Granderson said, "It’s more than just his money, because there are sponsorship dollars they have to depend on to help keep the tour going. If they all of a sudden believe the product is not worth supporting, it hurts everyone’s money." Granderson added, "It’s just a bad look to have your young stars not putting up some effort” (“SportsNation,” ESPN, 10/12).
UPS & DOWNS: The GUARDIAN's Russell Jackson notes Kyrgios "'tanked' a service point at the Shanghai Masters, which is clearly problematic, but as the match unravelled for him it also highlighted why we might resist caning the guy and perhaps just ask if he’s feeling OK." Less than a week ago, Kyrgios "won his third ATP singles title at the Japan Open." Those are "pretty wild ups and downs for one young person in the space of a week." What is "becoming clear is that Kyrgios is no more capable of handling the amplified emotional challenges of a life lived in the intense spotlight of pro tennis than any other person his age, and there’s now a strong body of evidence to conclude that his coping mechanisms are really not up to spec" (GUARDIAN, 10/13).
