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 that Kyrgios "obviously had some life lessons to learn" (SMH, 10/14). ESPN's J.A. Adande said that 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." It is not "the flotilla of ageing stars that will bring future fans through the gates or to screens." It is Kyrgios. He has the skill and "NBA attitude to attract a new market to tennis" (THE NEW DAILY, 10/13).
