b'SPORTS MODE The future of Australian TennisITSRATHERUNBELIEVABLEBUTNICKdo whatever it takes to get back into the DavisWhile in the corridors of the dressing sheds he KYRGIOS WILL REPRESENT AUSTRALIA THISCup team and play for Australia, said Hewitt.smashed two racquetsall caught on camera. SUMMER IN THE DAVIS CUP.Nicks a different character and I understand Thesmashingofracquetsdoesntreally Thats right, the bad boy of Australian sport,thatandwerenotalwaysgoingtoputconcern me. While I concede its a terrible look thatspoiltbratfromCanberra,whoadmitseverybody in the same box.he doesnt even like tennis has been namedand sends a horrendous message to our kids, to wear our national colours, to represent us,Youve got to deal with different personalitiesits hardly the crime of the century. all Australians, on one of the worlds greatestin all kind of sports, and I feel like I know Nick as well as anyone.What gets me is his lack of respect for the sporting stages. A stage that has produced some of our most remarkable moments andThe question remains does anyone really knowchair umpires, lines people, ball girls and boys, most famous heroes.Nick, and can he be trusted? fans and the entire sporting public. Im squirming in my chair already. In fact, ImFALSE DAWN Howsthisforalistofindiscretionsfrom promising myself and telling others, I wont beThereappearedtobeamassiveshiftfromonlythatonematchagainstRussianKaren watching, Ill be changing the channelor will I?Kyrgios when he was simply superb on theKhachanov.CHAMPION OR CHUMP? court to win the Washington Open this pastUnsportsmanlike conductpoint penalty DontthinkIdontpenthisarticlewithaAugust.Hispowergamewasthereforall($29,512)degree of envy. This is not about ability; thisto see. He served over 100 aces that week, is about who should be selected to representappeared to be the most popular drawcard andLeaving the court ($4,426)Australia on the world stage.thrilled the big crowds with his skill, guile and the now-trademark between the legs winners.Audible obscenity ($7,378)Nick Kyrgios has more talent in his big toe thenAlong with the victory came a serious boost inUnsportsmanlike conduct ($7,378)I can ever attest to, but in the end, I cant cheerthe rankings and over half a million dollars in for him, I simply cant. Hes sucked me backprize money.Unsportsmanlike conduct ($29,512)into the void a couple of times, but Ive swornWith a big smile on his face in the after-match Ill never be suckered again.Verbal abuse ($29,512)media conference Nick went public with his TheresalwaysbeencallsforAustraliannew image.Unsportsmanlike conduct ($29,512)officials to ban Kyrgios from the tour, but heI just want to grow as a person, as a human,Unsportsmanlike conduct ($29,512)representshimselfasaprivatecontractor.andifthatcomesalongthetennisplayer Its only at Davis Cup level he represents thewill come with it so you know thats all I canSUSPENDED SENTENCEgreen and gold, the national body.do. Just small habits every day, trying to get Despite the mountain of evidence and repeat It just doesnt seem right. What was Australianbetter, said Kyrgios.offences against him, the Association of Tennis captain Lleyton Hewitt thinking when he madeLess than a month after announcing his new- Professionals (ATP) who run the tour will allow the announcement back in September, endingfound maturity, Kyrgios resorted to his old ways a near two-year absence of our best playerKyrgios to avoid any further fines if - and its a from the Davis Cup team.in a bizarre, erratic and ill-tempered display atmassive if - he can behave himself for another the Cincinnati Masters. He gave the media an insight into his strainedsix months. If he offends again in a similar way relationship with Kyrgios at the conference. He was fined a total of $167,000 in Cincinnati.in that period, hell face a 16-week suspension In between warnings from the chair umpire andand a fine of $37,000. WesatdownatIndianWellsandwentthe abuse that followed, Kyrgios left the court through things and he has been so willing toagainst the instructions of the umpire.Its going to be a long six months for Nick.URBANDRIVER29'