Banned Kyrgios could quit without proper support: Cash
Send a link to a friend
[October 18, 2016]
By Ian Ransom
MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Australia's
tempestuous talent Nick Kyrgios has the potential to be a future
grand slam champion but could just as easily be lost to the sport if
he fails to get the support he needs, according to former Wimbledon
champion Pat Cash.
The 21-year-old was suspended for eight weeks by the ATP on Monday
following his second round exit at the Shanghai Masters where he
clashed with fans, the chair umpire and walked off the court midway
through a point against Mischa Zverev.
The ban can be reduced to three weeks if he sees a sports
psychologist, which Kyrgios had committed to, according to
Australia's tennis association.
"I wouldn’t be surprised (if he quit) but hopefully that’s not the
case," Cash told local radio station 3AW.
"Anybody’s got the opportunity to walk away but if it’s not good for
his health then I think he should do that.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2016/Oct/18/images/ads/current/charrons_bch041713.png)
"But with some good things in place for his health and wellbeing,
and a revised schedule ... he can go out there and enjoy his tennis,
which is what we want to see."
Kyrgios posted a lengthy apology online after his Shanghai meltdown,
which came only days after he won the Japan Open, the third and
biggest title of his career.
The 51-year-old Cash, a notable hothead during the early part of his
career, said Kyrgios was "flat and exhausted" when he arrived in
Shanghai and should never have played the tournament.
He questioned the advice the Canberra native was receiving on tour
and claimed Tennis Australia (TA) had failed to provide young
players with the mental support to deal with the grind of the
professional circuit.
"Mental health and understanding of where you are as a junior should
be as mandatory as hitting forehands and doing stretching before and
after a practice session," he said.
[to top of second column] |
![](../images/101816pics/sports55.jpg)
Nick Kyrgios of Australia returns the ball during the match against
Gael Monfils of France. REUTERS/Issei Kato
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2016/Mar/14/images/ads/current/tires250x300.gif)
"I’ve talked to Tennis Australia about it and nothing has been
done."
TA dismissed Cash's criticism as "incorrect," saying sports
psychologists were available for players in every state.
"Sometimes they have access to two or three of them," TA spokesman
Todd Woodbridge, the 22-times doubles grand slam champion, told
Reuters.
"Tennis Australia's support is as strong, if not stronger than for
any other (sport's) in the country,"
Cash said Kyrgios was "the next guy" in line for grand slam glory
once proven winners like Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic bowed out.
"And who is standing up there? Well, Nick’s the obvious one.
"You tend to see after a great year, a bit of a lull, and (then)
he’s got a great opportunity to grab a couple of grand slam titles
and really be a success."
(Editing by Amlan Chakraborty)
[© 2016 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2016 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2016/Oct/18/images/ads/current/ldn_more_exposure_bch.png) |