In-form Nick Kyrgios faces two inquiries

Nick Kyrgios is likely to be banned by the ATP Tour but before that can happen he can wreak some havoc at the US Open.

Nick Kyrgios is likely to be banned by the ATP Tour. Picture: Getty Images

Under the threat of likely suspension for repeated breaches of the ATP Tour’s code of conduct, Nick Kyrgios has a potential bright side to what could prove an expensive month in the US.

The Australian No 1 is now the subject of two separate investigations into poor behaviour.

The first is a probe into the tantrum he threw in Cincinnati, while the second is considering the defamatory accusation against the ATP at the US Open.

The ATP yesterday appointed Gayle Bradshaw to investigate whether the Canberran deserves a “major offence” sanction for describing the ruling body as “pretty corrupt” in a press conference held at 2am on Wednesday following his win over Steve Johnson.

Soon after the ATP announced the investigation, Kyrgios issued a statement yesterday conceding he had chosen the wrong word to describe his frustration with the tour. But he maintained a stance that double standards are applied to him compared with peers.

“It was not the correct choice of words and my point and intention was to address what I see as double standards rather than corruption,” he said.

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“I know my behaviour at times has been controversial and that has landed me in trouble, which at times is granted and valid, but my issue is around others whether gaining the same, less or more media attention doing the same or similar behaviour and not being sanctioned.”

The 28th seed was responding to a question regarding the record $167,000 fine issued to him for breaches including verbal and racquet abuse and spitting in the direction of an umpire after a loss in Cincinnati.

Officials have a recording of the interview — which his agent and an ATP official tried to end abruptly — held with a small pool of media outlets including The Australian.

Bradshaw has vast experience in sports officialdom, having worked for nearly four decades in a variety of roles including being a US Open referee and an ATP supervisor.

Kyrgios was suspended for a series of misdemeanours in Shanghai in 2016 after earning a suspended ban a year prior for breaches in Canada.

It is possible either investigation would be enough to lead to a ban given his disciplinary record. An adverse finding in both would allow the tour to institute a clause dealing with repeated misconduct.

It is not known if either investigation is to be completed prior to his appearance in the Laver Cup next month in Geneva.

On the flip side, Kyrgios is among the best credentialled players left in his half of the draw after the opening round carnage at Flushing Meadows on Tuesday. The 24-year-old will play his second round match after 7am (AEST) today against French wildcard Antoine Hoang and is among six Australians in action.

Spanish legend Rafael Nadal is a clear standout, while Marin Cilic is a former champion, but of the 30 other players in the bottom half, only John Isner, Fernando Verdasco and Gael Monfils have gone further than Kyrgios at major level.

He would not meet Nadal until a semi-final, with either Andrey Rublev or Gilles Simon shaping as third round rivals.

Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic endured tests yesterday but were able to progress.