‘Bad boy’ Kyrgios banned for Shanghai tantrums

REUTERS: Tennis ‘bad boy’ Nick Kyrgios has been banned for eight tournament weeks for his conduct during his defeat at the Shanghai Masters last week, the governing body for men’s tennis (ATP) said on Monday.

“The suspension will be reduced to three tournament weeks upon agreement that the player enters a plan of care under the direction of a sports psychologist...” the ATP said in a statement.

Nick Kyrgios of Australia returns a ball to David Goffin of Belgium – REUTERS

Kyrgios has also been slapped with an additional $ 25,000 fine for “conduct contrary to the integrity of the game”, it added.

The talented yet temperamental Australian was beaten 6-3, 6-1 by Mischa Zverev in a second-round match in which he put in a series of half-hearted serves and appeared to be walking off court before the unseeded German had returned the ball to him.

Kyrgios also clashed with a spectator before being booed off the court. He was fined $ 16,500 (13,270 pounds) by the ATP on Thursday.

The 21-year-old released a statement on Monday apologising for his behaviour.

“Following the ATP’s decision today I would like to take this opportunity to apologise again for the circumstances in Shanghai,” he said.

“I do understand and respect the decision by the ATP and I will use this time off to improve on and off the court. I am truly sorry and look forward to returning in 2017.”