Kyrgios off to play in NBA game

Nick Kyrgios has had his contract to compete at next year’s ATP Tour event in Rotterdam cancelled so he can take part in the NBA All-Star weekend.

The Australian, who is suspended from the tour after failing to give his best effort in a match in Shanghai last week, had committed to the ABN Amro tournament in February.

But tournament director Richard Krajicek has agreed to cancel his contract so the basketball fan can play in a celebrity match on February 19, the same day as the final in Rotterdam.

The latest controversy of Kyrgios’ cheque red career came during his second-round match in China last week against Mischa Zverev.

The 21- year-old was involved in heated exchanges with the umpire and a fan and rolled in serve son his way to a 6-36-1 loss.

The AT P responded by suspending Kyrgios for eight weeks and fining him 41,500 US dollars(£34,000).