Nick Kyrgios slapped with huge ban following Shanghai Masters spat

Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has been handed a hefty-eight match ban and secondary fine for his Shanghai Masters outburst.

In a statement, the ATP said Kyrgios had committed the ‘major’ offence of behaving in a manner ‘contrary to the integrity of the game’ during his second-round loss to Mischa Zverev.

It has suspended the 21-year-old until January 15 next year, putting his Australian Open campaign in serious jeopardy.

Kyrgios was fined $16,500 shortly after the incident, but has since been handed a further $25,000 fine (USD).

His suspension can be reduced to three tournament weeks if he agrees to enter a plan under the direction of a sports psychologist, or similar plan approved by the ATP.

Former Australian tennis great Pat Cash has told Fox Sports he isn’t being given the support he needs.

‘There’s a duty of care for the ATP and for Tennis Australia and unless something has changed in the last months or so, it’s well below what I believe is par,’ Cash said.