Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios "could find himself in trouble with the ATP after appearing to throw away his match against Mischa Zverev at the Shanghai Masters with a series of half-hearted serves," according to the LONDON TIMES. Kyrgios "put in minimal effort during his service games against the German world No. 110, barely dinking his first serves over the net and barely moving to meet Zverev's returns." During the match, Kyrgios is also reported to have said to the umpire: "Can you call time so I can finish this match and go home?" At one point in between games, the umpire said to Kyrgio: "Nick, you can't play like that, okay? This [behavior] is not professional. This is a professional tournament, we have to act professional at all times." Kyrigos also argued with a spectator toward the end of the match, who had shouted, "Respect the game" and "Respect the people" at the player" (LONDON TIMES, 10/12). FOX SPORTS reported Kyrgios has been slammed as “pathetic” and “a total disgrace.” He spoke after the match and "didn’t back down from his confrontational stance."
Asked if he "could understand the fans’ frustration, Kyrgios wasn’t sympathetic." He said, "Not at all. I feel like if they knew what they were talking about they’d be on the tennis court and being successful as well. ... I don’t owe them anything. It’s my choice. If you don’t like it, I didn’t ask you to come watch. Just leave. ... You want to buy a ticket? Come watch me. You know I’m unpredictable. It’s your choice. I don’t owe you anything. Doesn’t affect how I sleep at night." The lethargic performance shocked one TV commentator, who said, “I would be embarrassed. I would feel I was disrespecting the tour, personally.”
A "barrage of criticism followed on social media from some of the most respected voices in the game, some of whom suggested he should be disciplined by the ATP" (FOX SPORTS, 10/13).
