Mats Wilander slams Kyrgios' behavior and it's influence on kids - "They look up to these guys"

Nick Kyrgios has received sanctions for his conduct at both Indian Wells and the Miami Open this year, leading tennis legend Mats Wilander to slam the "atrocious" behavior of the Australian, fearing his antics will influence youngsters.

After capturing the men's doubles title at the Australian Open earlier this year, Kyrgios has fallen foul of the authorities for his conduct at tournaments in both Indian Wells and Miami. In California, he was fined around £19,000 for nearly hitting a ballboy when he smashed his racket, as he exited the tournament to Rafael Nadal

He then lost his cool again in Miami during his fourth-round defeat by Jannik Sinner, being given a point penalty at the end of the first set after smashing his racket, and that was upgraded to a docked game at the beginning of the second set after another violation.

After the match, he was fined £3,800 for audible obscenity, £7,600 for unsportsmanlike conduct and £15,000 for verbal abuse by the ATP. However, the penalties were considered light given he made £72,000 alone for reaching the fourth round.

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Wilander, who won seven Grand Slam singles titles as a player, has voiced concerns that youngsters are seeing the player as a role model.

“And I do know from Lleyton Hewitt telling me that every kid in Australia basically, is doing what Nick Kyrgios does," the Swede said in an interview. "I’m not saying they’re throwing rackets and whatever, but they hit the ball like Nick Kyrgios and that’s kind of bad enough in a way because Nick is so talented, but he doesn’t use his feet at all in any of his shots. He just slaps it with his arm. And they look up to these guys. So I think it’s atrocious."

Wilander also implied Kyrgios should be aware of those not as privileged as him: “I actually think it’s horrible. I think breaking a racket on a tennis court is the lowest for me because most kids, they cannot afford to buy tennis rackets."

Kyrgios will play in the French Open in May, having snubbed the tournament since 2017. He announced a U-turn this season, claiming his girlfriend persuaded him to play because she wants to see Paris.