Nick Kyrgios Putting Himself on a Path Toward an Underwhelming Career

The talented Nick Kyrgios makes headlines in spite of tennis. He’s 21 years old, and he boasts power, athleticism and skills that could see him become the modern Pete Sampras. He’s also broken down barriers of professional conduct with rude behaviors that have earned him “bad boy” status in many columns.

Kyrgios’ young career can be summed up in the past two weeks. He won a big title at level-500 Tokyo, but a few days later, he shamelessly tanked his match against a journeyman, while shouting at fans and giving lip to the chair umpire.

The short and the shame of it all boiled down to a $16,500 fine, another $25,000 fine and an eight-week suspension that would not allow him back to tennis until mid-January. He could have his suspension reduced to three weeks if he agreed to plans of action that would require counseling from a sports psychologist.

So far, Kyrgios has apologized (with words) to try to repair some of the damage, but it runs much deeper than that.

Despite tremendous offers of support and nurturing from Australian Tennis, perhaps the greatest tennis nation in the world, Kyrgios is reluctant to listen to anyone. He has no coach, little discipline and behaves like a cyclone, tearing through the sport and laying waste to traditional decorum. He’s Keyser Soze with a tennis racket.

It’s not too late for Kyrgios to become a Grand Slam winner, but after two years of raving potential, he is more likely to be a sad disappointment with an underwhelming career.

Biting the Hands That Feed Him

There’s a fictional Native American story about a rattlesnake who pleads with a girl to pick him up and carry him out of the cold weather. She refuses to trust him despite his flattery. “If you help me, I will be kind to you,” the snake says. “I just need a chance.”

She agrees to pick him up, carry him home and give him warmth. He immediately bites her.

“Ouch! You promised you would not bite me,” she yells. “I trusted you!”

“You knew what I was when you picked me up,” the snake hissed as it slithered away.

Kyrgios has spurned Australian Tennis repeatedly, making detrimental comments about Aussie legend Patrick Rafter, getting removed from Davis Cup competition in September 2015 and trading barbs with teammate Bernard Tomic, who carries his own tainted baggage.

What can anyone do for Kyrgios when he will not accept help?

Give him another chance of …

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