âWork-in-progressâ Nick Kyrgios fined for petulant behaviour at Shanghai Masters
© Nick Kyrgios Twitter
Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios was slapped with a heavy fine of USD 21,810 for his brash behaviour at the Shanghai Masters on Wednesday. The 21-year-old escaped suspension, but copped a string of fines for breaching the code of conduct in the second round defeat to Mischa Zverev.
"After completion of the on-site investigation, Kyrgios received the on-site maximum fine of $US10,000 for lack of best efforts, as well as a $US5,000 fine for verbal abuse of a spectator, and a $US1,500 fine for unsportsmanlike conduct,â a statement from tennis governing body ATP said.
The world No 14 received a code violation for an audible obscenity during the 6-3, 6-1 defeat to Mischa Zverev where it was also evident that the Australian intentionally served up soft serves. Kyrgios at times even walked off the court before his opponent could return.
The Australian also asked the umpire during a changeover: "Can you call time so I can finish this match and go home?", to which the umpire replied, âNick you canât play like that. Itâs just not professional. This is a pro tournament.â
Later, the Canberran told in a post-match interview that he was âfeeling very tiredâ as an explanation for his weak serves.
Following a social media outrage later in the day, the youngster apologized to fans for his unprofessional behavior on Twitter, saying that he was âstill a work-in-progressâ.
