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Nick Kyrgios apologies after not returning shots midway through a match at the Shanghai Masters

Nick Kyrgios is no stranger to controversy. The Australian has been pulled up on numerous occasio...



Nick Kyrgios apologies after n...
Golf

Nick Kyrgios apologies after not returning shots midway through a match at the Shanghai Masters

Nick Kyrgios is no stranger to controversy.

The Australian has been pulled up on numerous occasions for his on-court behavior, whether it be sledging his opponents or making inappropriate comments to members of his own entourage.

Today, during the first round of the Shanghai Masters, the 21-year-old made headlines again after appearing to refrain from returning shots and showed little or not effort during his own service game in a match against Mischa Zverev. 

His serve.

His returns.

Kyrgios now risks a fine for his conduct and even asked during the match if they could "finish this", showing clear disinterest in the whole thing. The match ended in a 6-3, 6-1 defeat for the Australian and he later apologised for his actions, admitting there was 'no excuse' for his actions.

Players can be fined $10,000 dollars should they not put their 'best effort' forward during a game

"I don’t owe them anything," he said after the match referring to the fans. "It’s my choice. If you don’t like it, I didn’t ask you to come watch. Just leave.

"If you’re so good at giving advice and so good at tennis, why aren’t you as good as me? Why aren’t you on the tour? You want to buy a ticket? Come watch me. You know I’m unpredictable. It’s your choice. I don’t owe you anything. Doesn’t affect how I sleep at night."

He even had an exchange with a fan during the game: 

This is not the first time he has refused to make an effort during a match. In 2015, during a match against Richard Gasquet at Wimbledon, the world number 29 didn't return a number of points as a protest after receiving a code violation for swearing.

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