Tennis has always been one of the more stereotypically genteel sports, filled with athletes who possess cleaner reputations and generate fewer controversies.  None of that is to say that it has been void of its bad boys, however.  John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, and Ilie Nastase are just a few of the men who became equally famous, if not better known, because of their antics on the court compared to what they achieved on it.  At present, it appears that Nick Kyrgios is doing his best (or worst) to quickly join their ranks, but his shenanigans in the back half of 2015 have many pondering if the young Australian has not crossed a line that requires harsher action from the ATP to benefit the sport, and arguably the man himself.

From the start, Kyrgios has always had a swaggering attitude, but that has not necessarily been a bad thing.  His conviction regarding his talent and game have helped him avoid the pitfalls that come with giving even the most decorated of opponents too much respect.  As a result, he walks out onto the court with the belief that he can beat whoever is on the other side of the net, and that is the mindset that has already seen him garner some impressive victories in his young career.

Unfortunately for Kyrgios, that same attitude has also seen him struggle when things are not going well and resort to unsavory actions and decisions in response.  He earned plenty of ire from the Wimbledon crowd when he blatantly tanked a game in his loss to Richard Gasquet, but the low point came the following month in a match against Stanislas Wawrinka in Canada.  Looking to get under the skin of the Swiss, Kyrgios told Wawrinka that his countryman Thanasi Kokkinakis had slept with Wawrinka's girlfriend.  It was a remark that hit below the proverbial belt, and after much outcry from other players, fans, and an investigation by the ATP, it was decided that a $25,000  fine and 28-day suspension would be imposed on Kyrgious if he incurred any fines for “verbal or physical abuse” or received up to $5,000  in fines for other offenses before the end of February.

As everyone knows, so-called “trash talk” happens in sports.  Maybe that is why the ATP seemed reluctant to bring the hammer down too hard and too quickly on Kyrgios without a probation period following his remarks in August.  Sadly though, that is increasingly looking like it was the wrong move.

It is only October, and already Kyrgios is dangerously close to violating his probation.  Earlier this week he incurred a $1,500  fine for a verbal obscenity, and he may yet earn another after being cited for unsportsmanlike conduct in his loss to Kei Nishikori.  That he would be so careless in committing these senseless acts given his probationary status is troubling enough, but what is more disappointing is his attitude towards everything.  He shrugged off the idea of the suspension, insinuating he really does not care if he has to serve it or not.  He continues to fail to recognize how wrong his remarks in August were, which not only had an impact on Wawrinka, but on the two players he accused of sleeping with one another as well.  All told, he has exhibited a complete lack of responsibility and remorse.

Whether or not Kyrgios will ever take responsibility for his actions these last few months is anyone's guess.  He is still young, and there have been a number of other players who began as brash upstarts only to evolve into some of the most respected men on tour.  But there is no denying that Kyrgios has taken things to an unacceptable level.  The only thing that may get through to him is to force him to sit on the sidelines and away from the limelight.  He has been quoted as saying he hates tennis, but maybe he just needs time to miss it and really appreciate the opportunities it affords him.  For that reason, the ATP must start taking tougher action, and perhaps that will spur Kyrgios to get his act together.  He is too talented a player to self-destruct when his career is barely off the ground.