Nick Kyrgios has been replaced by Bernard Tomic in Australia’s Davis Cup team to face Great Britain in next week’s semi-final in Glasgow.
Tennis Australia confirmed its line-up on Tuesday – Lleyton Hewitt, Sam Groth, Thanasi Kokkinakis and Tomic – with captain Wally Masur explaining that Kyrgios’ absence was by mutual agreement in order for the volatile 20-year-old to focus on his personal and professional development.
“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,” Masur said. “Next week’s tie has come a bit too soon for him and is not in that plan.”
Controversy has followed Kyrgios around since his 2014 breakthrough, when he knocked Rafael Nadal out of Wimbledon.
At this year’s Wimbledon he was moved to deny accusations of abusing an umpire and throwing a game, and while subsequently on Davis Cup duty against Kazakhstan he shouted ”I don’t want to be here” while on court. He was then picked up by the on-court microphones sledging French Open champion Stan Wawrinka at last month’s Montreal Masters, leading to sanctioning from the ATP for aggravated behaviour.
Masur added that Kyrgios, despite his omission, “remained fully supportive of his team-mates and wished them well in Glasgow”, according to Tennis Australia.
Tomic’s inclusion marks another chance for the 22-year-old, who has been in a war of words with TA since a public outburst against his national federation during Wimbledon. He was then arrested in Miami in July, charged with ”resisting an officer without violence” after police were called to his hotel suite due to a noise complaint, and with trespass after refusing to leave the premises.
Masur warned there was “very little room for error” for the player in the future.
“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,” the captain said.
“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.”