The ATP has launched an investigation into Nick Kyrgios’ behaviour during his second round match at the Cincinnati Masters on Wednesday.
Kyrgios has been issued with eight separate fines relating to his confrontation with umpire Fergus Murphy. The world No.27 erupted after receiving a time violation from the official. Something he believes wouldn’t have happened if Rafael Nadal was playing. Kyrgios went on to call Murphy a ‘F***ing tool’ and ‘the worst ref in the game.’ He also briefly left the court to smash two of his rackets moments after being refused a toilet break.
"Absolute rubbish…Disgrace."
Nick Kyrgios is fired up again after a time violation.
Cincinnati Masters live on ESPN. pic.twitter.com/jWLnvasdZQ
— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) August 15, 2019
Less than 24 hours after the controversy-stricken match, which Kyrgios lost in three sets to Karen Khachanov, the ATP has issued a statement. Confirming that the Australian has been fined $113,000 in total for eight separate incidents. Four of those sanctions were for unsportsmanlike conduct valued at $20,000 each.
A breakdown of the fine
– Unsportsmanlike conduct (point penalty) – $20,000
– Leaving the court – $3000
-Audio obscenity – $5000
-Unsportsmanlike conduct – $5000
-Unsportsmanlike conduct – $20,000
-Verbal abuse – $20,000
-Unsportsmanlike conduct – $20,000
-Unsportsmanlike conduct – $20,000
That may not be the end of it for Kyrgios with the governing body of men’s tennis looking further into the incident. If he is found in breach of the Player Major Offense code, he could be suspended from the tour in a worst case scenario. He served a brief suspension during the end of 2016 for ”conduct contrary to the integrity of the game’.’
“In addition to the on site fines announced today the ATP is looking further into what happened during and immediately after the match to see if additional action is warranted under the Player Major Offense section of the code. That could result in an additional fine and/or suspension.” A statement from the ATP reads.
It is not the first time the 24-year-old has landed himself in hot water this season. At the Fever-Tree Championships he was docked $17,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct. Meanwhile, back in May he was fined 20,000 euros and lost all of his prize money for a series of offences committed at the Italian Masters in Rome. Including throwing a chair onto the court, which got him defaulted from the tournament.
There is yet to be any comment from Kyrgios concerning his latest actions.
