One of Australia’s most successful tennis players of all time have suggested that a short ban might be the only appropriate way to address Nick Kyrgios’ recent antics on the tour.
Rod Laver has spoken out about the former top 20 player following a series of high-profile incidents on the tour. At the Cincinnati Masters, Kyrgios was fined $113,000 for eight incidents during his loss to Karen Khachanov. Ranging from unsportsmanlike conduct to leaving the court without permission. A couple weeks later he raised eyebrows after saying the ATP was ‘corrupt’ during a press conference at the US Open before clarifying his comments a day later. Kyrgios has now accused the governing body of double standards in men’s tennis when it comes to the treatment of some players compared to others.
“I would like to go on record and clarify my comment around the ATP being corrupt,” Krygios posted on Twitter.
“It was not correct and the intention was to address what I see as double standards rather than corruption.
“I know my behaviour at times has been controversial and that has landed me in trouble, which at times is granted and valid but my issue is around others whether gaining the same, less or more media attention doing the same or similar behaviour and not being sanctioned.”
The ATP has since said they are investigation Kyrgios and in a worse case scenario he could be suspended from the tour. Something that also happened to him at the end of 2016. Speaking about the possible suspension, 11-time grand slam champion Laver believes it is the only way forward to address Kyrgios’ behaviour.
“Whatever they have done hasn’t worked so far, so maybe a suspension is the only answer,” he told The Sydney Morning Herald.
“I’m not sure he’s learned anything from any of the things that have gone on.”
Laver, who is celebrating the 50th anniversary of his calendar grand slam at the US Open, also said Kyrgios ‘lacked discipline’ in a separate interview. The 24-year-old has won six ATP titles in his career, including two this season. He has also recorded multiple wins over both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
“I don’t know if he’s deliberately aiming for publicity or whether he’s aiming at individual things that he wants to accomplish, but that’s the one thing he lacks is discipline,” Laver told the AAP.
“And if he got some discipline, then most things come pretty simple.”
It is unclear as to when the ATP will conclude their investigation into Kyrgios.
