Nick Kyrgios has escaped major punishment following his controversial actions at the Miami Open.
The Australian reached the fourth round in America before being beaten by Jannik Sinner. However, it was his actions towards the umpire in his defeat, and not his tennis, that dominated the talk post-match.
Kyrgios, 26, had numerous heated arguments with umpire Carlos Bernardes and vociferously criticised the officiating during the contest. He also complained about the court speed in a first set he lost after being docked a point in the tie-break.
Things escalated from there as he was then docked the opening game of the second set for smashing his racquet, with Sinner keeping his composure to eventually win 7-6 6-3. And there was another flashpoint after Kyrgios hit a forehand wide on the first match point.
He called Bernardes an "absolute clown" and refused to shake hands with the official before storming off court. Prior to that, he'd shouted: "Get rid of every single staff and start over. I'll run the sport. I could do a hundred times better job."
The saga followed him being fined more than £19,00 for nearly hit a ballkid when throwing his racket at Indian Wells. But despite his latest indiscretion, he won't face a ban from ATP events.
Kyrgios was given four fines having been deemed guilty of verbal abuse, an audible obscenity, and two counts of unsportsmanlike conduct. The total amounted to £26,500.
His run to the semi finals in the doubles event in Miami with compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis, earned him more than £117,000. Little surprise therefore, that is latest punishment has been viewed as insufficient by tennis fans.
"Nick Kyrgios will abuse officials, journalists, and anyone else who looks at him in a way he doesn't like, and tennis media will continue to enable or rehabilitate him any chance it gets," tweeted @MFallingStar18. "The obsession with babying this 26 year old man is so fascinating, but also boring."
@christophclarey added: "Fines are not the real deterrent. Have to think Kyrgios is risking major-offence investigation at this point based on pattern of misbehaviour."
"Fining him just 22% of his prize money, even less when you consider endorsement income and his free hospitality for the duration, a real lesson was learned there I'm sure," wrote @Emmagoatcanu.
Last month, Kyrgios was credited for entertaining crowds as he and Kokkinakis landed the doubles titles at the Australian Open. It represented a first Grand Slam title of any kind for the Canberra born player.
