Nick Kyrgios has become one of the most polarizing figures to hit the professional tennis courts in the past 5 years. The Australian star, who has admitted that he suffers from mental health issues, is just as known for his antics and statements outside the court as he is for his great gameplay. But a recent statement he made may have a crucial effect on his career.
Kyrgios’ controversial statement
Right after winning over American player Steve Johnson in the first round of the U.S. Open, Kyrgios described the ATP as being “pretty corrupt.” His statement was in response to him getting asked about a record $113,000 fine because of his behavior in Cincinnati in early August.
During a match in the Cincinnati Masters against Russian ace Karen Khachanov, umpire Fergus Murphy refused to grant the bathroom break that Kyrgios requested. Kyrgios’ temper flared up and he ended up calling Murphy as the “worst ref” and “f*cking tool.” Kyrgios still went to the bathroom, where he was seen banging two tennis rackets into the wall before heading back.
His turbulent U.S. Open run
During the same U.S. Open interview, he brushed off criticism of the meltdown, saying that it is normal to get frustrated. He insists that the press should instead focus on his great performance in the opening round match of the Grand Slam.
Even before Kyrgios called the ATP corrupt, the governing body already considered suspending Kyrgios for his earlier Cincinnati outburst. But with his recent statement, the ATP is forced to reconsider executing a harsher punishment for his “major offense.”
The ATP has not announced an official ban on Kyrgios yet but a lot of pundits estimate that the ban could be as long as three years. The ban will likely be declared after the Laver Cup in Switzerland, where the Australian star is set to compete.
Will Nick Kyrgios compete in the Tokyo Olympics?
Meanwhile, another opportunity for Kyrgios just might open in the next year. It is said that Kyrgios is among the players being considered to represent Australia in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
John Coates, who is the president of the Australian Olympics Committee, said that he keeps an open mind about his participation especially since Kyrgios is the highest-ranked male Australian player in the world right now. He, however, leaves the decision for the Australian national tennis federation to nominate Kyrgios.
This is not the first time that Kyrgios was set to compete in the Olympics. In 2016, he publicly withdrew from the Rio Olympics because he clashed with Kitty Chiller, who was then the Chef de Mission of the Australian delegation.
Nick Kyrgios’s ranking and performance in 2019
Ranked no.30, Kyrgios played his last match on the 31st of August when he lost Andrey Rublev 7-65 7-65 6-3 in the 3rd round in U.S. Open.
This year Kyrgios has a 21-13 win-loss record. Nick clinched 2 titles in 2019 in Acapulco and in Washington.
Nick Kyrgios |
| Embed from Getty Images |
