Nick Kyrgios, "the tormented tennis talent banned for eight tournament weeks by the ATP" and fined an additional A$32,000 ($24,400) on Monday for his "appalling" behavior and "lack of effort at the Shanghai Masters, has indicated he will agree to the psychological counselling provision that could end his suspension early," according to Linda Pearce of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Either way, "perhaps mercifully, his season is over." The player "hailed as one of the brightest young talents in the game" is also one of its more polarizing figures, and his competitive '16 ended "ignominiously" in China on Wednesday, with Kyrgios "the first player suspended for behavioural issues since tempestuous American John McEnroe." Tennis Australia indicated that a "now-remorseful" Kyrgios will enter the requisite "plan of care under the direction of a sports psychologist" or equivalent treatment approved by the men's governing body that would trim his suspension by five ATP weeks (SMH, 10/17). REUTERS' Simon Jennings reported ATP Exec Chair & President Chris Kermode described Kyrgios as a "phenomenal talent" and hoped the Australian "would use his time away from the game constructively." Kermode: "Nick's conduct in Shanghai was unacceptable, disrespectful to the sport, and its fans. We take these matters very seriously, and he has since apologized for his actions" (REUTERS, 10/17).
KYRGIOS 'DISTRAUGHT': In London, Mike Dickson reported Kyrgios was "distraught" after his "tanking incident." According to Kermode, Kyrgios's contrition "was genuine enough" for him to receive a sentence that should "effectively allow him to restart 2017 afresh." Kermode: "He was distraught about how behaved. He is a young athlete with a huge amount of talent and potential for whom the spotlight is sometimes too much. The saddest part is that to the outside world it comes across that he doesn't care and you can see that would be the case. But it's actually a defense mechanism to deal with the situation. He needs to channel that." In an official press release, Kyrgios apologized and said, "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" (DAILY MAIL, 10/17).
