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Nick Kyrgios dropped from Australian Davis Cup team

Kyrgios has been left out of the Australian Davis Cup squad

Nick Kyrgios, the ‘brat’ of tennis, has been dropped from the Australian Davis Cup team, and has been replaced by Bernard Tomic for the team’s semi-final clash against Great Britain next week in Glasgow, reported BBC Sport. Krygios was fined for his comments towards Stan Warwinka during the Montreal Masters last month, when he disparaged the Swiss player’s girlfriend.

Tomic, 22, was dropped from Australia’s last Davis Cup tie for criticizing Tennis Australia for not supporting him during his injury. The tie takes place from 18-20 September at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow.

Australia captain Wally Masur named Lleyton Hewitt, Sam Groth and Thanasi Kokkinakis alongside Tomic, and said the absence of Kyrgios was mutually agreed on so he could focus on his personal and professional development.

Kyrgios has been in the public view since he was booed during a fourth-round Wimbledon defeat by Richard Gasquet, where he appeared to throw the match away, clashing with the umpire as well.

Masur said: "After some good healthy discussion with Nick and his team we have agreed on a plan to help him develop all aspects of his game and ensure a long and successful future in the sport. Next week's tie has come a bit too soon for him and is not in that plan."

Tomic had fallen out with Tennis Australia after he blamed them for leaving him in the lurch after his hip surgery last year. The federation stopped funding Tomic and his 17-year-old sister in June due to a dispute with their father John, while the world number 24 accused the governing body of abandoning him after he had hip surgery last year.

On Tomic’s inclusion into the team Masur said, "The focus has been on helping Bernie understand the consequences of his actions and then assessing how serious he is about committing to a consistent effort to improve his behaviour.

"So far he has demonstrated a will to change and backed that up with his actions. But it is a long road and he is now very acutely aware of the consequences of any future transgressions. He has been selected with this understanding in mind and, it is fair to say, very little room for error in the future," Masur added.

Australia takes on Britain in Glasgow in a three-day indoor hard court tie starting next Friday, with the winners to face either Argentina or Belgium in the November 27-29 final. Australia is looking to reach its first Davis Cup final since winning the trophy for a 28th time in 2003.

 

 

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