Nick Kyrgios backtracks on corruption claim against the ATP at US Open

Nick Kyrgios admits he was wrong to label ATP officials ‘corrupt’ amid multiple misconduct probes.

Nick Kyrgios stretches for a shot from Steve Johnson. Picture: AP

Nick Kyrgios has conceded he was wrong to label ATP Tour officials as corrupt amid multiple probes into misconduct that has now spread to behaviour off the court as well as on it.

Shortly after the ATP Tour announced it was instituting a new investigation into comments made to a small pool of journalists about 2am at Flushing Meadows, Kyrgios attempted to clarify the situation.

He acknowledged he had received support from outgoing ATP Tour chief executive Chris Kermode but felt he had offered much in return.

But the Australian reiterated his belief that he was the victim of double-standards in regards to the way he perceived by media and policed by the tour.

“I would like to go on the record to clarify my comment around the ATP being corrupt,” he said. “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.

“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.

“That’s my issue and it continues to be. To be clear, I know I’m not perfect and do not pretend to be and I acknowledge I’ve deserved fines and sanctioning at times but I expect consistency fairness with this across the board. To date that’s not happened.

“I’ve had huge support from Chris Kermode and have given it in return, so I want to clarify my comments, but stand by my beliefs and sentiment around double standards.”

Kyrgios is at clear risk of breaching a clause related to repeated poor conduct and is facing suspension.

Nick Kyrgios talks to the chair umpire during his Men's Singles first round match against Steve Johnson on day two of the 2019 US Open.

The ATP released a statement in relation to its latest investigation.

“The comments made by Nick Kyrgios after his first round match in New York will be assessed under the Player Major Offense provision under ATP Rules,” a statement read.

“A determination will be made by Gayle David Bradshaw, Executive Vice President, Rules & Competition, following an investigation as required by ATP rules.”

A prior investigation into his conduct in Cincinnati, for which he was fined $A167,000, is ongoing.

The Australian is due to play a second round match against Frenchman Antoine Hoang tomorrow in New York.

As revealed by The Australian earlier this month, despite the tantrums, Kyrgios is in the pole position to hold a powerful position in the new ATP Cup to be played across the nation next summer.

Under the rules of the new team competition, the No 1 ranked man in each nation holds the power to choose who, if anyone, can captain their country.

Kyrgios recently overtook Alex de Minaur to reclaim the nation’s top ranking.

After an appalling tantrum in Cincinnati this month Kyrgios was hit with a record fine of $167,000 by the ATP after losing his temper in a match against Russian Karen Khachanov in Ohio.

In his first public comments yesterday on the sanction, the Australian lashed out in the press conference following his opening round US Open win over American Steve Johnson.

“Not at all. The ATP is pretty corrupt anyway, so I am not fussed about it. I got fined $113K (US dollars) for what?” he said.

Asked if he should have been defaulted during that match and therefore avoided the accumulating fines for each offence, his agent John Morris and an ATP press official tried to cut short the press conference.

“Why are we talking about something that happened three weeks ago when I just chopped up someone first round at the US Open?” Kyrgios asked.

He then quizzed a journalist as to whether she had ever sworn at someone, before stating: “You are also not an elite athlete. Just answer my question. Have you ever sworn at someone before?”

“Are you saying that elite sportsmen are allowed to swear at people?” another journalist asked.

The 28th seed responded: “No. I am just saying people get frustrated. It happens.”

The 24-year-old had moments where his temper simmered during the 6-3 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 victory over Johnson, but was relatively calm by his volcanic standards.

Kyrgios became angry midway through the second set at fans making their way to their seats as he was trying to serve.

After berating them he turned his focus on umpire James Keothavong, aggressively asking him; “What the f … are you doing?”.

This gave the Englishman no choice but to issue a code violation for an audible obscenity.

He was also captured by courtside microphones stating he “couldn’t have picked a more boring sport as a profession. No f … ing joke” after impersonating Roger Federer’s serve in the second set to entertain himself.

Johnson was not amused by the antics and was clearly angered when Kyrgios showed scant respect for his first serve in the penultimate game of the match.

The fraying of temper aside, Kyrgios was focused enough to ensure he progressed to a second-round clash against French wildcard Antoine Hoang.

In an distasteful aftermath, Kyrgios was captured on film using a towel to rub his face, groin and armpits shortly before appearing to spit in a towel and then throw it towards fans in the crowd.

Before the match, Kyrgios congratulated his boyhood friend Thanasi Kokkinakis after the 23-year-old claimed his first win at grand slam level in four years over Ilya Ivashka 6-3 7-6 (10-8) 6-7 (4-7) 6-2. Joining the pair in the second round were 20-year-old Alexei Popyrin, who was impressive on his US Open debut, beating Argentinian Federico Delbonis 6-1 7-5 7-6 (7-5).

Davis Cup stalwart Jordan Thompson whipped Joao Sousa 6-3 6-2 6-4 to take to five the number of Australian men in the second round after Alex de Minaur’s opening day success.

But John Millman was unable to repeat his quarter-final heroics of last year. An upset winner over Roger Federer in 2019 before falling to Novak Djokovic, the Queenslander found Rafael Nadal too strong, beaten 6-2 6-3 6-2.

The Brisbane resident at least has the satisfaction of saying he has now faced the three most successful men in history in Federer, Djokovic and Nadal in succession on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Kokkinakis now has the opportunity to tackle Nadal, an experience Millman likened to stepping into the ring with a boxer at the peak of their form: “It is tough. It is relentless. Like a boxing match where you are getting hit again and again.”

Kokkinakis said he was determined to give the clash against Nadal all he has as he seeks to make up for lost time on the tour.

“I give myself a chance for sure. It’s going to be a fun match. It’s going to be tough. Very physical. But I’m ready for it,” he said.

With an array of stars including Australian Open semi-finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas and French Open finalist Dominic Thiem beaten yesterday, the bottom half of the men’s draw is relatively open, aside from Nadal.

Popyrin was among the beneficiaries when Mikhail Kukushkin ousted Wimbledon semi-finalist Roberta Bautista Agut in five sets. Thompson will tackle 24th seeded Matteo Berrettini.