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‘ATP Never Defends Their Players’ – Nick Kyrgios Says Denis Shapovalov Received a Very Different Treatment Than Him

Published 03/30/2022, 2:12 AM EDT

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via Reuters

It turned out to be an eventful contest between Nick Kyrgios and Jannik Sinner. High on emotions, Kyrgios’ journey in the second half of the ‘Sunshine Double’ ended on a sour note. The Australian went down fighting against his 20-year-old opponent in straight sets 7-6 (3), 6-3 in an hour and 39 minutes.

In a highly controversial match, Kyrgios was upset with some decisions made by the chair umpire that went against him. Further, he hurled abuses at the umpire after the match was over. Subsequently, he even refused a handshake post the match. Kyrgios is in danger of receiving a hefty fine because of his actions.

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Nick Kyrgios opens up on facing huge fines

During the post-match press conference, an interviewer asked Kyrgios whether he cared about the hefty fines slapped against him for his behavior. He said, “Well, it’s not that I don’t care, I just don’t think it’s fair. Like I just hate to bring up the same things over and over again. But Shapovalov nailed a ball in someone’s eyeball and got 5 grand. I can throw a racquet at Indian Wells, didn’t even hit anyone, and I’m getting 25 grand.”

Questioning the ATP, he said, “Where is like the balance? Like how much do I bring for the sport? Like that’s the problem with tennis, we just don’t protect our stars at all. We love to outcast them and full of bad media. ATP never defends their players, never stands up for them.”

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USA Today via Reuters

Further, he went on to add, “I mean, I’m used to it, been used to it my whole year. To be honest, it sucks. I know I could put in a great week, great performance. I played seven, six singles matches that the crowd has been pretty much packed for. Tennis is sparking, I think. And, you know, I have one incident where I throw a racquet — and I know it can be dangerous. I know it can potentially be not good. Doesn’t hit anyone, 25 grand.”

Kyrgios admits to being a good person

Talking about how he apologized to the ball kid, Kyrgios said, “I physically got a racquet, and I went back to the court that next day and personally saw that kid myself and apologized and gave him a racquet. That’s something he’s going to remember like his entire life. The ATP doesn’t set like pick up any media things on that. Do you know what I mean?” 

Furthermore, he added, “I don’t personally care, because I know I’m a good person like I don’t really care, but I don’t understand what could you possibly fine me for today? That’s the thing, he’s going to get nothing. He’s not even going to get a slap on the wrist for his dreadful umpiring performance today. Like he was horrendous.”

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USA Today via Reuters

Additionally, expressing disappointment over the actions against the chair umpire, the Australian said, “But the ATP won’t do anything about him. There will be no bad like articles on him. He will just show up in the next event, and everyone just forgets how bad that was today from him.”

Concluding his remarks, Kyrgios said, “But again, I will have to deal with the negativity, I will have to deal with the bad comments, my girlfriend has to deal with the bad comments, my team has to deal with the bad comments. And ATP doesn’t give a f**k. So that’s it.”

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WATCH THIS STORY: Top Racket Smashes at the Australian Open

With his win over Kyrgios, Sinner has reached the quarterfinals of the Miami Open. He will take on Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina in the last-eight clash. Can the Italian win his first title this season in Miami? Let us know your views in the comments below.

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Written by:

Vatsal Shah

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Vatsal Shah is a tennis author at EssentiallySports. With a Bachelor's degree in engineering, he is a die hard fan of tennis and sports in general. He is an ardent follower of Rafael Nadal and is inspired by his never-say-die attitude.
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Edited by:

Ajinkya Aswale