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The 24-year-old, one of the most combustible
characters in tennis, was fined $113,000 over a meltdown in
Cincinnati last month and courted more trouble with the
governing body of men's tennis at the U.S. Open describing them
as corrupt.
"The investigation found a pattern of behaviour related to
Kyrgios's verbal abuse of officials and/or spectators in the
past 12 months that constitutes a violation," the ATP said in a
statement, adding that Kyrgios had five working days to appeal.
Both the fine and suspension are deferred pending Kyrgios's
compliance with a set of conditions https://www.atptour.com/en/news/atp-concludes-kyrgios-investigation-september-2019
which will apply at ATP and Challenger Tour events during a
six-month probationary period.
Some of the conditions include no further code violations that
result in a fine for verbal or physical abuse of officials, fans
or any others on-court or on-site and unsportsmanlike conduct
and any obscenity directed at officials.
He was also told to seek "continued support" from a mental coach
during tournaments and consult a professional specialising in
behavioural management in the off-season.
Kyrgios had picked up the initial fine for unsportsmanlike
conduct, verbal abuse and an audible obscenity in Cincinnati
after arguing with the chair umpire and smashing two rackets
during his second-round defeat by Russia's Karen Khachanov.
The Australian confirmed earlier on Thursday that he would miss
the remainder of the Asian swing after aggravating a shoulder
injury he originally suffered at the Laver Cup.
The ATP added that a second investigation had taken place after
Kyrgios's comments at the U.S. Open, although the world number
27 had clarified his remarks saying that "corrupt" was not the
correct choice of words.
"Following a clarification issued by the player... it was
determined that the incident did not constitute a Player Major
Offense and no additional penalties were applied," ATP added.
Kyrgios, who has won titles in Acapulco and Washington this
year, is known for his outbursts both on and off the court.
In May, he was expelled from the Italian Open after slamming his
racket into the ground, kicking a water bottle and tossing a
chair towards the centre of the court before walking out.
Three years ago, he withdrew from the Rio Olympics saying
"unfair and unjust treatment" at the hands of his country's
Olympic Committee had led to his decision.
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Toby
Chopra and Toby Davis)
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