Kyrgios agrees to see psychologist in exchange for reduced ban
Nick Kyrgios has agreed to an ATP-sanctioned "care plan" with a sports psychologist, in exchange for having his tour suspension reduced from eight weeks to three.
The mercurial, 14th-ranked Aussie earned the suspension (along with a fine of more than $50,000) for appearing to tank a match during the Shanghai Masters earlier this month. The tour offered him the ability to slash the suspension if he agreed to meet with the psychologist.
"Nick has taken up the care plan on offer to him from the ATP. The details and contents of the plan are strictly confidential," the ATP said in a statement Monday, according to The Guardian.
The reduction of his suspension is largely symbolic. While it will allow him to return to competitive play on Nov. 7, the only tournament remaining from that point forward is the eight-man World Tour Finals, for which Kyrgios cost himself a chance to qualify by getting suspended for this week's Paris Masters. The ATP did not clarify whether the lightened sentence also came with a reduced fine.
The 21-year-old reached a career-high world ranking of No. 13 last week.