ATP right to suspend Nick Kyrgios after ‘disrespectful’ tank job in Shanghai

NICK Kyrgios is at the crossroads, ‘devastated’ at the harsh ban handed down by the ATP, but tennis’s ruling body had no choice after his embarrassing tank job, writes Leo Schlink.

FOR the second time in 14 months, Nick Kyrgios is at the crossroads.

In a largely unprecedented move, he has been suspended — the first elite player to be shown the door for on-court boorishness since John McEnroe in 1987 and 1990.

The McEnroe penalties remain salient to the Kyrgios case for two reasons.

Penalties materially failed to curb the American’s excesses, as evidenced by his recividist nature, and it had no impact on the New Yorker’s marketability or popularity.

While McEnroe’s assaults on officialdom are increasingly celebrated — the rebellious firebrand continues to profit handsomely from truculence — Kyrgios operates in an environment far removed from the sport’s “rock and roll” era of the 1970-80s.

John McEnroe thrived on his bad boy image, something that hasn’t quite caught on for Nick Kyrgios.

McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, Vitas Gerulatis and others brooked neither censure nor advice.

Kyrgios doesn’t have the same liberties. But whether he will ever be brought to heel is problematic.

Regardless, Kyrgios’ conduct in Shanghai last week simply demanded punitive action and it came with his suspension for the remainder of the season.

MORE: Kyrgios cops huge fine for tank job

It is understood Kyrgios is devastated by the penalty after a year where he has garnered three titles — the most in a season since Lleyton Hewitt in 2004 — to again confirm extreme talent.

But, as outrageously gifted as he is, the ATP had no choice but to respond in the way it has.

The stain on Kyrgios’ record will remain just as visible as the “Kokkinakis banged your girlfriend” sledge to Stan Wawrinka and the various other missteps over the past two seasons.

Kyrgios, and Kyrgios alone, is accountable for that.

MORE: Kyrgios blatantly tanks at Shanghai Masters

As exaggerated as the Kyrgios flair and personality are, there are limits to what is acceptable.

Even in 2016 when the same officials who are now looking down their nose at the feisty Australian are among those who privately encourage him not to change.

And those limits do not allow for the wanton profligacy of Shanghai.

Nick Kyrgios gave the ATP no choice but to take action after his ‘disrespectful’ tank job in Shanghai. Picture: AFP

It was disrespectful to German opponent Mischa Zverev, a man who has been around long enough not to look a gift horse in the mouth, while also attuned to the struggles of a colleague.

It was disrespectful to the tournament and, whether he acknowledges this or not, ultimately to himself.

Whatever the factors behind a tortured and underwhelming attempt at professionalism, Kyrgios’s effort to tap in a serve and then walk to his chair while the ball was still in play was unacceptable.

OPINION: Tennis fans should heed Kyrgios advice and stop attending his matches

His lack of effort runs contrary to the generations of great Australian champions he is attempting to follow.

Not that history will particularly trouble Kyrgios, a figure very much of his own creation and perception.

As feeble and indifferent as he was on the court, it is difficult not to conclude Kyrgios’ post-match contrition did not go unnoticed by investigators despite a Twitter mea culpa.

The suspension means Kyrgios misses European indoor events where the world No 14 had the chance to nail down a top-16 Australian Open seeding.

Kyrgios’ critics — some disingenuous, others balanced — have had a field day since his run-in with Wawrinka and the suspended 28-day suspension which followed that clash last year.

There are those who believe officialdom, particularly umpires, are at fault for not jumping on Kyrgios more firmly.

Andy Murray has been a Nick Kyrgios sympathiser. Picture: AFP

Others, such as Andy Murray, sympathise with Kyrgios’ mental struggles.

The Scot says those battles are perilously overlooked, admitting he spies in Kyrgios some of the same psychological obstacles he, himself, had to overcome as a young player.

Elsewhere, others speculate last night’s suspension will have minimal bearing.

Despite the apparent severity of the ban, the ATP has acted in good faith — hopeful Kyrgios will learn and improve from it.

Cheers @andy_murray // someone with a bit of perspective...

— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) October 14, 2016

As it stands now, Kyrgios will return in January’s Hopman Cup and possibly sooner in the International Premier Tennis League.

But it will not be until January 16, when the 2017 Australian Open starts, that anybody will be any wiser about which fork in the road Kyrgios really wants to take.