Australian talent Nick Kyrgios could be returning to the tour sooner than expected after accepting to enter a ‘care plan’ agreement with the ATP.
The world No.13 is currently serving an eight-week ban from the ATP Tour for poor sportsmanship shown during the Shanghai Masters. Playing Germany’s Mischa Zverev in the second round, Kyrgios appeared visibly uninterested in the match as he was booed by members of the crowd. In additional to the ban for ‘not giving his best effort,’ Kyrgios was also fined $25,000.
Currently banned from the tour until January 15th, the Australian could now have his suspension halved after the ATP confirmed that he has accepted to enter their ‘plan of care.’ Under the terms of the sporting body, Kyrgios is required to see a sports psychiatrist (or a similar figure approved by the ATP) if he wishes to return to the professional tour earlier.
“Nick has taken up the care plan on offer to him from the ATP,” the ATP told the Australian Associated Press.
“The details and contents of the plan are strictly confidential.”
The details about the proposed plan is currently unclear and there has been no official comment about if the suspension will be reduced or not. It is expected that once the plan is underway and is being followed, the ban could be lifted from the week commencing November 7th.
Kyrgios’ ban was one that drew a lot of attention in the tennis community. 17-time grand slam champion Roger Federer questioned the effectiveness of the suspension during an interview with Swiss media earlier this week. Meanwhile, former top 10 player Marc Rosset has accused the ATP of being too lenient when it comes to tackling Kyrgios’ behaviour.
Once again embroiled in controversy following his high-profile incident with Stan Wawrinka last year, Kyrgios still ends 2016 on a high following a breakthrough season. After claiming a duo of titles in Marseille and Atlanta, the 21-year-old clinched the biggest title of his career in Japan. At the Tokyo Open (an ATP 500 event) he defeated Gilles Muller, Gael Monfils and David Goffin on route to the title. On the tour he has achieved a win-loss of 39-15 this season.
