Sam Groth: Tennis can’t afford to ban Nick Kyrgios, one of its hottest commodities
The ATP might have slapped Nick Kyrgios with a huge fine, but former Aussie tennis player Sam Groth says there’s no way one of the sport’s hottest commodities will be banned for his Cincinnati outburst. Here’s why.
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Another day and another flurry of headlines about Nick Kyrgios exploding at a tournament. Smashing racquets, yelling obscenities, abusing and spitting at an official.
Let me be very clear; I don’t condone Nick’s behaviour in Cincinnati – it was indefensible and he will know that. But there won’t be a ban coming his way – no way. The sport can’t afford to lose him.
Tennis needs Nick a lot more than he needs tennis. Behind Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal, the Aussie is the ATP’S biggest commodity. They won’t be giving him up any time soon.
We have seen everything from Nick this year. Epic tantrums, chair throwing, bottle tossing, umpire abuse, crowd abuse and even the odd title win, and despite the negative attention he courts, fans continue to come to see him in droves.
We have written about his behaviour for so long now it sometimes feels like Groundhog Day. We have long debated what can be done to “fix things”. But ultimately, Nick’s not going to change and the powers that be in tennis don’t want him to.
KYRGIOS FINED $166,000 AMID CALLS FOR A BAN
Put him on the outer courts in Italy, the court is full. Put him on Melbourne Arena at the Aus Open every seat is taken and the fans are lining up outside the building. Like it or not, Nick is currently the sport’s biggest draw card.
He is the only player – probably outside of Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal on the men’s side anyway – that brings people to tennis that aren’t big fans.
If I buy a ticket to a tournament and Rafa or Roger are not there I’m buying it to see Nick. They want to see him win or have a meltdown – either way they have guaranteed entertainment. Tell me anyone else in tennis that’s delivering that.
In the absence of their next superstars when it comes to dominance and results, the ATP has to go to the next best thing – Nick. Look at their tournament promotion or social media, it’s Kyrgios galore, he is everywhere.
He is taking the sport to a much wider audience, why on earth would they ban him?
Add to that the blow back they would get from individual tournaments if they said Kyrgios was no longer available.
If I’m a director in Beijing and the ATP tells me they’re suspending Nick and he could have sold me 100k tickets then I’m pissed.
This is all about business. Nick is one of the hottest commodities, he is bigger than the sport. They will fine him, throw the book at him, make it look like they’re taking it seriously. But no ban.
The WTA has done similar with someone like Serena Williams. She’s no stranger to on court outbursts but they need her for the sport to thrive.
Many called for her to be banned after she threatened a lineswoman at the US Open back in 2009 and also last year after her on court meltdown in the final against Naomi Osaka.
Fines yes, but no bans. It’s business.
What’s dangerous is the precedent the ATP is potentially setting. Are they endorsing bad behaviour or rewarding it? They need him so is Nick getting away with stuff others wouldn’t?
I’d be intrigued to see if another player got the same treatment as Nick.
Would they be fined as heavily? Would they be banned because they don’t do as much for the sport?
What we do know is there will be a next time.
Nick will generate more of the same headlines in the future but I’m still not sure why it is people expect him to change. This is Nick and it’s on him. If he doesn’t want to change then he won’t it’s that simple.
Anyone criticising the fact he’s still allowed to play, direct it to the governing bodies. They want to protect their business.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I can’t defend Nick’s on court behaviour when he’s spitting at umpires of throwing things but it’s only a tiny nugget of who he is as person.
He performs on court, he becomes the entertainer the ATP and the fans have indicated they want him to be.
He does incredible things off court and people forget about this, he’s not a bad person.