Nick Kyrgios was handed a three-month suspension and a fine of $25,000 at the Shanghai Masters after being charged with tanking and abusing spectator and unsportsmanlike conduct

Nick Kyrgios had also hit out his fans saying he does not owe anything to them.

Nick Kyrgios was handed a three-month suspension and a fine of $25,000 at the Shanghai Masters after being charged with tanking and abusing spectator and unsportsmanlike conduct

Nick Kyrgios during his match at 2016 Shanghai Masters (Image via Sky Sports)

ATP Shanghai Masters is making a return to the tour after four years and so do some interesting stories. The tournament was last played in 2019 with Daniil Medvedev winning the title. While there are not many stories to talk about from the last edition, there is one from the 2016 edition of the ATP 1000 tournament involving none other than Nick Kyrgios.

The Australia tennis ace known for his on-field antics was handed a three-month suspension and a fine of $25,000 for his unsportsmanlike conduct and verbally abusing a spectator. Kyrgios was also found guilty of “conduct contrary to the integrity of the game” by ATP. 

YouTube video

It is worth Kyrgios had looked uninterested during his match against German player Mischa Sverev. The Australian lobbed soft, slow serves over the net and wandered away till Sverev returned them resulting in a straight-set defeat. Kyrgios was also found to get involved in a verbal altercation with the chair umpire and then a spectator. The Australian had defended himself saying his body gave up both physically and mentally. 

FS Video

In the post-match press conference, Kyrgios blasted his fans saying he does not owe anything to them and that they should walk out of the stadium if they don’t like to watch him play. Later, after getting charged by the ATP, Kyrgios apologized for his on-field actions as well as his quotes off the court.

Also Read: WATCH: Carlos Alcaraz presented with an independent locker room at Shanghai Masters previously assigned to Roger Federer 

Why is Nick Kyrgios not playing at the 2023 Shanghai Masters?

While Nick Kyrgios was suspended for four months following his weird on-court behavior during the 2016 Shanghai Masters, he returned to the tournament next year but only to get knocked out in the first round. The same happened in 2018 as Kyrgios lost to Bradley Klahn in his first-round match. In 2019, Kyrgios did not take part in the ATP 1000 event.

nick kyrgios
Nick Kyrgios (Image via TalkSport)

For the next four years, the tournament did not take place and now as Shanghai Masters made a return this this year, Kyrgios is not active on the tour. The Australian is still recovering from the injuries he sustained. Kyrgios has played only one match this year, at the Germany Open wherein he lost to Yibing Wu in the first round.

Kyrgios’ last appearance at an ATP 500 tournament came way back in October 2022 when he played at the Tokyo Open. Meanwhile, his last ATP 1000 event was the Cincinnati Masters wherein he survived in the first round but lost to Taylor Fritz in the second round. There is no timeline for when the Australian is looking to make a comeback.

In case you missed it: