ESPN tennis analysts John and Patrick McEnroe yesterday during a U.S. Open preview call discussed Nick Kyrgios' perceived bad-boy image and the impact his recent actions have had on the sport. John McEnroe said, "I did my share of dumb things -- inappropriate things -- at times. The good part is I had people that I looked at." He said Kyrgios would be "well-served" to look at a player like Rafael Nadal. John McEnroe: "These guys are so professional now that he can't afford to waste as much energy as he's wasting." Patrick McEnroe said Kyrgios "went over the line in a big way" with his comments to Stan Wawrinka. He said that sort of trash talk "happens in other sports," but tennis is a "different sport, especially now with the mics everywhere." Patrick McEnroe: "He's going to have a very, very difficult time on the tennis court because it's hard to live that kind of life, travel around with the same group of people. ... That doesn't mean you have to go out to dinner with these guys, but you have to at least respect them." John McEnroe said all sports "like to see some contrast" and want to see "someone with personality." John McEnroe said Kyrgios is "only 20 and he's got time. ... (but) there comes a point where if you take it too far and you're not good enough, you'll be gone." Patrick McEnroe said the ATP "did the right thing" yesterday with Kyrgios' provisional penalties to "try to get him to learn a lesson." Patrick McEnroe: "He created more attention for tennis. But just strictly creating attention doesn't mean it's a positive all the time. ... He could be incredible for tennis. Again, I think the ATP recognized that and recognized that it's for the good of everybody in the sport that he keeps the positives of his personality, but realizes you can't go out there and say that kind of stuff." Patrick McEnroe added, "There was already a backlash for Kyrgios before that happened in Canada. ... If you want to say this took it to another level in that department, there's absolutely no doubt that it did" (THE DAILY).
