Nick Kyrgios Is Suspended Until Mid-January For Behaviour At The Shanghai Masters

The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) has suspended star player Nick Kyrgios until January 15, 2017, following misbehaviour on the courts during the Shanghai Masters.

Kygrios rushed through his 6-3, 6-1 loss to Mischa Zverev last Wednesday, later admitting that he "took the easy way out".

“It was just tough. Obviously I played a lot of matches in a row. Physically tired, mentally tired,” he said.

During the match, the Australian walked towards his chair after floating a serve across the net without waiting for Zverev to return it. He also had a verbal clash with a spectator during the match.

According to The Guardian, Kygrios was fined $USD16,500 on Thursday, but has now been fined a further $USD25,000 on top of serving a suspension.

The ATP has released a statement saying, "Kyrgios has been found to have committed the player major offense ‘Conduct Contrary to the Integrity of the Game’."

They have announced that he will be suspended for eight tournament weeks.

However, it's not the end of the road for Kygrios, because if he enters a "plan of care" the suspension may be reduced to three tournament weeks. According to the ATP, a plan of care would need to be partaken under the direction of a sports psychologist, or someone approved and appointed by the association.

Kyrgios says he was "physically and mentally tired" after playing so many matches in a row and the Aus media piles in on him. Great stuff.

— Osman Faruqi (@oz_f) October 13, 2016

Kygrios has since spoken out about the suspension. "I need to apologise to the fans," he said, adding, "I do understand and respect the decision by the ATP and I will use this time off to improve on and off the court. I am truly sorry and look forward to returning in 2017."

Photo: ESPN