Kyrgios not yet a lost cause
IT’S unfortunate for Australian sporting fans that our highest-ranking tennis player carries on like an illmannered flog on the world stage.
When Nick Kyrgios is good he is among the brightest young stars in the game, but when he’s bad, he’s really bad.
He can go from passionate competitor to petulant pork chop in minutes; abusing fans, umpires and opponents on the court and journalists in the post-match press conferences.
Some may argue that the journalists deserve it but Swiss champ Stan Wawrinka certainly didn’t deserve to be sledged with “(Thanasi) Kokkinakis banged your girlfriend. Sorry to tell you that, mate” at the Montreal Masters last year.
For that indiscretion Kyrgios was fined, but it was the harsh criticism from the tennis world that must’ve really stung.
Instead of busting his gut trying to get the best out of himself, Kyrgios often seems disinterested.
Last year, not long after he beat the great Roger Federer, Kygrios confided: “I don’t really like the sport of tennis that much,” explaining that he preferred basketball.
The ATP World Tour is forgiving but their patience was tested one too many times by Kygrios’s all too regular meltdowns which threaten the integrity of the game, particularly given his habit of throwing points, games and even matches.
It was only a matter of time before he copped a harsher penalty than the usual inadequate fine after his antics at the Shanghai Masters infuriated fans and officials alike.
Kyrgios now has the dishonour of being the first elite player to be suspended for behavioural issues since the great John McEnroe in 1987, some eight years before Kyrgios was born.
He has been suspended for eight weeks with the penalty reduced to three weeks if he submits to “a plan of care under the direction of a sports psychologist, or an equivalent plan approved by ATP”.
It is unclear whether he’ll take the full sanction or opt to undergo counselling. It was at least promising to see some contrition from Kygrios after his ban.
“Following the ATP’s decision ... I would like to take this opportunity to apologise again for the circumstances in Shanghai,” the statement read.
“The season has been a long one as I battled several injuries and other challenges towards the end of the summer.
“This is no excuse and I know very well that I need to apologise to the fans – in Shanghai and in other parts of the world.
“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.”
The truth is that though Kygrios acts like a tool on the court, he is said to be a pleasant and shy young man off it.
He is certainly supremely talent and expert opinion is that he could be a top five player with just a little focus; indeed some predict he can be the great player of his generation.
Kygrios has behaved appallingly and been rightly punished and roundly criticised by all, including me, but he deserves a chance to redeem himself; he is, after all, only 21.
Despite his shenanigans, it’s puzzling to see the level of venom directed at Kygrios by sporting fans who ordinarily overlook an athlete’s character flaws if they are stars.
The disdain for Kygrios is out of all proportion to his “crimes”. Sure, he has behaved like a prat, but the main victim of his misbehaviour is himself.
We have seen generations of footy fans, including members of the media, turn a blind eye to player discretions from the trivial to the criminal. But for some reason Kyrgios doesn’t get that sympathy; commentators and fans alike want him punished severely.
Let’s not forget that he didn’t bash anyone, nor is he a drug cheat; he is a tool with poor impulse control who needs to grow up.
He can either go down the Mark Philippousis path of wasted potential or emulate Lleyton Hewitt who after a rough beginning went on to win over fans and get the best out of himself.
No one expects Kygrios to be perfect or to entirely curb his volatile side but he can’t afford another brain explosion.
There are only so many “second chances” fans will give you before they write you off as a lost cause.