Kyrgios receives further sanctions for lewd comment

Nick Kyrgios, playing in the 2013 Sacramento Challenger,
was given a suspended fine and ban for aggravated behavior.
Photo by Paul Bauman

   Nick Kyrgios committed the major offense of aggravated behavior in his second-round match against Stan Wawrinka at the Rogers Cup in Montreal on Aug. 12, the ATP announced Monday.
   The ATP imposed a further fine of $25,000 and a 28-day suspension. However, the penalties will be withheld if Kyrgios does not incur any fines for verbal or physical abuse or accumulate fines totaling more than $5,000 for any other offenses over the next six months.
   Kyrgios, therefore, can play in the U.S. Open, which begins Monday.
   "This incident was egregious and reflected poorly on our sport," ATP executive Gayle David Bradshaw said. "Nick has expressed regret, and the best result would be that he learns a lesson from this incident and that he understands he is responsible to the tour and to fellow players for both his actions and his words. It is with these factors in mind I feel he should have the opportunity to ‘earn’ his way out of additional sanctions.”
   A courtside microphone picked up Kyrgios, 20, saying that fellow Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis had slept with Wawrinka's girlfriend, reportedly 19-year-old Croatian player Donna Vekic. Kyrgios later apologized on his Facebook page.
   Kyrgios was fined the on-site maximum of $10,000. He also was assessed $2,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct related to a comment made to a ball person during the match.