Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.

Nick Kyrgios is living under the threat of the ATP World Tour enforcing their threat of a 28-day ban if he digresses again sufficiently to top $US5,000 in fines in six months. The 20 year-old Australian is already on his way to trouble after being hit with a $1,500 fine at the Shanghai Rolex Masters after issuing forth with an audible obscenity.

It was the second time Kyrgios had been censured by an umpire within a week. At last week’s Rakuten Japan Open in Tokyo he received a warning for venting his anger by hitting a ball against the roof at the Ariake Stadium.

Photographers who were apparently more keen on talking than taking pictures were the root of Kyrgios’ latest annoyance during a match against Germany’s Andreas Haider?Maurer. When his fellow Australian Bernard Tomic arrived to watch, Kyrgios turned to him and said: “Mate, it’s an absolute circus. Cameraman’s been talking in the middle of a point … Ball-kids … It’s just unbelievable. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Later he allowed his language to become more profane as he lost his temper with the court conditions and experienced umpire Carlos Bernardes felt the need to issue a code violation warning.

Kyrgios was largely in control of the match, eventually winning 6-3, 6-2 to set up a second round encounter with Kei Nishikori and he insisted making an effort to clean up his act. However speaking of the potential suspension, he said: “To be honest, I’m not thinking about it too much.  I know it’s there.  But I’m still showing a lot of emotion.

“I feel as if it’s helped me a little bit, everything that’s happened in the last couple months.  I feel like I’ve definitely picked up my act a little bit.  But I’m playing well and I’m enjoying myself, so that’s what matters.”

And Kyrgios found some predictable support from his friend and Davis Cup team-mate Thannasi Kokkinakis who insisted a little anger adds to the entertainment factor. “People want to watch you, and I don’t think they mind that stuff to be honest, even though it makes headlines it makes it fun for the fans to watch,” said the teenager. “I think it doesn’t really hurt the game too much.

“The fans love watching him play, if he yells, if he breaks racquets, the fans love watching that so I think it’s good for the game.”

Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.