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

Nick Kyrgios insisted he does not feel a marked man after receiving his third code violation warning within the space of a week at the Shanghai Rolex Masters. This time the 20 year-old Australian, playing on probation from a four week suspension, was judged guilty of slamming a ball too close to a line judge by umpire Mohamed Lehyani in the third round defeat by Kei Nishikori.

Supervisor Mark Darby was summoned to the court as Kyrgios complained about the judgment and after an extended discussion that with the Australian proclaiming his innocence, the warning stood.

“I didn’t hit the ball in anger, I just hit it,” insisted Kyrgios who was warned for an audible obscenity in the previous round against Germany’s Andreas Haider-Maurer and was also reprimanded for slamming a ball into Tokyo’s Ariake Coliseum roof last week.  “Obviously it was pretty close to the line umpire.  It wasn’t out of rage or anything.

Kyrgios, beaten 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 by Nishikori, added: “Obviously I didn’t think it was worthy of a code, but he (the supervisor) thought it was. I just wanted to tell him.  He obviously said what he needed to say.  It comes down to the umpire’s decision.  So it’s fine.”

Kyrgios did not receive any fine at the Shanghai Rolex Masters from ATP World Tour supervisor Mark Darby following the code violation warning from umpire Mohamed Lehyani.

Should Kyrgios top the US$5,000 barrier in fines, after receiving a $1,500 penalty on Monday, he could be banned and fined further.  However he maintained: “I’m not concerned at all.  If it happens, it happens.

“It’s fair enough.  I probably shouldn’t have done it, but I didn’t think it was too bad.  I can’t really change it now.”

Kyrgios is now looking forward to a few days back home in Canberra before rounding off his 2015 commitments in Valencia and Paris for the BNP Paribas Masters at Bercy. After that he is contracted to play in the International Premier Tennis League around Asia.

“I’m actually feeling pretty good, although I got told this time of the year is tough for all the players, ” said Kyrgios who is one half of potentially combustible doubles team in Shanghai with fellow Australian Bernard Tomic. “Everyone’s looking forward to just finishing but I’m actually a bit disappointed that the season’s coming to an end.  I think I’m starting to play some really good tennis.”

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