Nick Kyrgios penalty: ATP once again fails to ban brat

Nick Kyrgios’ wallet is a little lighter, but that means little to the millionaire tennis star as the ATP Tour once again fails to penalise brattish behaviour.

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – MARCH 29: Nick Kyrgios of Australia leaves the court after losing to Jannik Sinner of Italy during the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 29, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has avoided an ATP tour ban but copped a $35,000 fine for his latest on-court tantrum.

Former leading umpire Richard Ings had been among the many in world tennis who believed the only way to curb Kyrgios’s bad behaviour was to punish him with a forced period of time on the sidelines.

But the ATP, just as it has been with almost any issue of bad behaviour in recent years, came down with the feather duster than a hammer by issuing a fine rather than a ban.

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In the end Kyrgios was slapped with four separate indiscretions for his outburst at the Miami Open including:

Audible Obscenity: $5,000

Unsportsmanlike Conduct: $5,000

Unsportsmanlike Conduct: $5,000

Verbal Abuse: $20,000

Nick Kyrgios was slapped with $35,000 in fines for his Miami meltdown. Picture: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP

It takes his tally to $60,000 worth of fines in two weeks after he copped a $25,000 punishment for his tantrum after the loss to Rafael Nadal at Indian Wells when his throwing of a racket almost hit a bellboy.

While many may view the monetary punishments as a slap on the wrist compared to any time suspension, the reality is the ATP tour is now heading into a clay court season which Kyrgios rarely plays so any bans would’ve effectively been futile as he’s likely not playing for a few months until the grass court season ahead of Wimbledon.

‘WHITE PRIVILEGE’: KYRGIOS REVEALS NETFLIX INSPIRATION

Nick Kyrgios’ crazy life is being filmed as part of a Netflix documentary because he wants to change the stigma of tennis being “a very white privileged sport”.

And the volatile Australian star has provided plenty of content at this week’s Miami Open including one of his more explosive umpire blow-ups.

Kyrgios confirmed he was taking part in the series which has been touted as the tennis version of the hugely successful Formula 1 documentary ‘Drive to Survive’.

Cameras have been spotted at ATP and WTA events around the world recently, including at the Australian Open in January.

Nick Kyrgios slams his racket in his match against Jannik Sinner at the Miami Open. Photo: Getty Images

While the identity of which players are involved has been largely kept secret – world No. 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas recently confirmed his participation – Kyrgios revealed this week why he’d put his hand up.

“They were very interested to be following me around,” Kyrgios said. “But I think I was quite interested because I think tennis culture is changing. I think there is a lot of, I mean, there is no hiding it. Tennis is a very white privileged sport.

“I loved the fact that I was able to show my path and the way I go about it and how I connect with people.

“I think it’s a very different side to how people would perceive most tennis players. I think it’s a special thing for other coloured athletes that do want to play tennis to see myself, you know, you have (Frances) Tiafoe out there right now, (Naomi) Osaka, us doing it the way we are doing it.

“I think it’s cool. I think it’s a great idea I think for the sport. To grow the sport, it was definitely needed.”

Nick Kyrgios and Costeen Hatzi spark engagement rumours https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbi4gv3rLcn/?utm_medium=copy_link

Kyrgios’ girlfriend Costeen Hatzi was spotted at Indian Wells recently with a microphone pack attached to her back pocket which is believed to have been a part of the documentary project.

After being well behaved during his Australian Open doubles heroics with good mate Thanasi Kokkinakis, it has been a completely different story at Indian Wells and Miami this month.

He was fined for losing his cool during a quarter-final loss to Rafael Nadal at Indian Wells which included almost hitting a ball boy with his racquet after throwing it in frustration.

A spectator runs on court and takes a selfie with Nick Kyrgios during the Miami Open clash with Jannick Sinner. Photo: Getty Images

Earlier this week at Miami during his fourth-round defeat against Italy’s Jannik Sinner he received a penalty for smashing his racquet and later branded experienced Brazilian chair umpire Carlos Bernardes an “absolute clown”.