Despite being an amazing tennis player, Nick Kyrgios has struggled with controlling his emotions and anger. The Temperamental Australian came back from a lengthy suspension to participate in the inaugural ATP Cup tournament in Australia.
Back in September 2019 Nick Kyrgios was not only slapped with a $37,000 fine but also a 16-week ban. This was after the investigation into his aggravated behavior was carried out by ATP. Therefore, the ATP Cup presents a chance for the Australian star to redeem himself in terms of containing his emotions.
Nick Kyrgios sought for help from a psychologist
While out serving his suspension, Kyrgios has also been working on his temper, emotions, and character. Ahead of the ATP Cup, he admitted to having sought help from a professional psychologist to learn how to manage his emotions. Though he added that there is a chance of him reverting to his old self regardless of the ban. On whether that is true, tennis fans have to watch him closely during the ATP Cup.
He said, “I’ve been seeing a psychologist …(but) I am not thinking about it (suspended ban) at all. I’m always going to go out there and play with emotion and if I do happen to cross the line, I cross the line.”
This is Nick Kyrgios’ first match being played while under probation.
Now seeing a psychologist, Kyrgios said he didn’t anticipate trouble with a team around him.#ATPCup pic.twitter.com/13BGMOK0M0
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 3, 2020
The suspension and the most recent fine was not the first time Kyrgios was facing the wrath of ATP. The Australian has already had his fair share of penalties from the ATP. Back in August, he accumulated close to $ 167,000 fine from eight offenses, alongside not only for verbally abusing Fergus Murphy but also spitting to an official during the Cincinnati Masters.
In 2016, the month of October he was slapped with an eight-week ban besides a fine of $32,000. This was after he committed a wide variety of offenses together with “lack of best efforts”.
The impact of the psychologist
It seems like Nick Kyrgios has really benefitted from the professional counseling and guidance he has been receiving. He feels ready for the ATP Cup despite admitting that there are chances that he might lose his cool while playing. Above all, he feels at ease being with the Australian team. The team is being led by Alex de Minaur the current world number 18.
This is what he said, “I know when I’m in a team environment I’m not worried at all.”
Nick Kyrgios’s ranking and performance in 2020
Ranked no.30, the Australian played his last match on the 3rd of January when he beat Jan-Lennard Struff 6-4 7-64 in the round robin in the ATP Cup.
Nick Kyrgios |
| Embed from Getty Images |
