Sport

Nick Kyrgios no longer keen on seeing sports psychologist

The Australian has been told his eight-week ban will be reduced if he seeks help

Troubled Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has indicated he will play fewer tournaments in 2017 after his meltdown at the Shanghai Masters saw him slapped with an eight-week ban. Photograph: Getty Images
Troubled Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has indicated he will play fewer tournaments in 2017 after his meltdown at the Shanghai Masters saw him slapped with an eight-week ban. Photograph: Getty Images
Mike Hytner
Wed Oct 19 2016 - 10:37

Suspended tennis star Nick Kyrgios has suggested he is unlikely to see a sports psychologist in a bid to have his eight-week ban reduced.

In a Twitter Q&A on Wednesday morning, the controversial Australian appeared to be at odds with Tennis Australia’s claim a day earlier that he had agreed to seek professional help.

When asked if he intended to meet with a psychologist, he replied: “Probs not.”

Kyrgios was handed an eight-week ban by the ATP for his lack of effort during a match at the Shanghai Masters last week.

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The governing body of the men’s tour said that ban would be reduced to three weeks, meaning a return to action on November 7th, if he sought help.

“Nick’s health and wellbeing is a priority and the ATP has offered a reduced penalty on the provision that he seeks appropriate professional advice, which he has agreed to do,” Tennis Australia said.

“Nick understands the gravity of his actions, has shown remorse and expressed a willingness to improve.”

However, Kyrgios will not be allowed to return to the court until January's Australian Open if the ATP's conditions are not met.

The 21-year-old caused uproar with a lethargic display against Mischa Zverev at the Chinese event last week, when he capitulated in straight sets, and at one stage of the match was accused of unprofessional behaviour by the umpire.

In addition to his ban, Kyrgios racked up over $40,000 in fines after the ATP found him to have committed the major offence of “Conduct Contrary to the Integrity of the Game”.

After the match, Kyrgios said he didn’t owe his fans anything, before issuing a later statement to apologise, citing injuries and exhaustion as reasons for his lack of effort.

In Monday’s Q&A, he also indicated an intention to play less on tour next year. When asked what his goals for 2017 were, he replied: “More time off.”

When asked how he felt about playing tennis, he responded with a simple “lol” and in response to a question about whether he could honestly say he has given 100 per cent on the court, he said “nah man”.

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