John Newcombe offers a mission statement for Nick Kyrgios ahead of next month's Australian Open.
Learn to zip it up.
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The Hall of Famer says Kyrgios must keep quiet with the threat of a 16-week ban hanging over his head during his ATP probationary period.
"I can't speak for him, but if it was me it would be tough having that ban hanging over you," Newcombe told The Age. "But I guess you've just got to learn to zip up."
The ATP hit Kyrgios with a 16-week suspended ban and fine of $25,000 for his wild implosion in Cincinnati last August.
That means if the 24-year-old Aussie commits another rule violation during a six-month probationary period both the 16-week ban and $25,000 fine will be imposed.
If Kyrgios complies with ATP rules and stays on good behavior for the next six months then there is no suspension or fine. Kyrgios' six-month probationary period began on September 30th.
The Washington, D.C. champion's health is a concern. Kyrgios played just seven matches after losing to Karen Khachanov in Cincinnati.
Though he swept all four sets he played in the Davis Cup Finals, Kyrgios aggravated a shoulder issue that forced him out of Australia's final Davis Cup tie.
Former world No. 1 Newcombe suggests chronic injuries make Kyrgios vulnerable in the best-of-five-set Australian Open. Kyrgios fell to Milos Raonic in the Australian Open first round in January.
"I thought it was great that Nick played in the Davis Cup, but it's a bit of a worry that he has recurring injuries, especially around where the muscles join the joints and that's going to be an ongoing problem for him it seems," Newcombe said. "At the Davis Cup he'd only played four sets of singles and his shoulder started to play up again and when you've got an injury like that it's hard to go out and practice a lot.
"Leading into the Australian Open five sets is a big ask for him."
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