Nick Kyrgios has surprisingly managed to avoid an immediate ban from the ATP Tour following the conclusion of an investigation into his explosive second-round match in Cincinnati last month.
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The peak body for tennis is expected to come under the microscope after instead opting to give the firebrand Australian a 16-week suspended ban and fine.
The suspension and fine of $US25,000 (A37,000) will kick in if Kyrgios commits a similar offence within a six-month period, while he must also agree to continued support from a mental skills coach during tournaments plus seek extra help from a specialist in behavioural management before the end of the year.
Kyrgios had already been handed a record fine of $US113,000 ($A167,000) after committing eight offences during his second round match with Karen Khachanov, including verbally abusing umpire Fergus Murphy and spitting towards the official at the Cincinnati Masters in August.
He later said "the ATP was pretty corrupt anyway" before backing down from the claims.
The ATP determined that did not constitute a major offence and determined no further penalties would apply.
The investigation was conducted by Gayle David Bradshaw, executive vice president, rules & competition, who concluded that Kyrgios "has been found to have committed Aggravated Behaviour under the Player Major Offense provision in the ATP Code."
After a string of incidents over the past five years former Australian greats Pat Rafter and Rod Laver had called for Kyrgios to receive a ban.
Australian Associated Press
