What happened to Generation Y?October 21, 2016

Nick Kyrgios hit another bump, and this one might derail his bid to break into the Top 10 next season. The 21-year-old from Canberra was a mystery; he won the Japan Open two weeks ago and then followed it up with a bizarre loss to Mischa Zverev at Shanghai. He was fined 16,500 US dollars for verbally clashing with a spectator during his second-round match. He received an additional 25,000 US dollars the other day.

"Kyrgios has been found to have committed the player major offense 'Conduct Contrary to the Integrity of the Game'," read an ATP statement.

Australia's top-ranked player would be suspended from the ATP Tour for eight tournament weeks. It could be reduced to three weeks if he is willing to consult a sports psychologist. Otherwise, Paul Kilderry, the Hopman Cup Tournament Director, might look for his replacement. (The tournament will start on January 1. Kyrgios's suspension will end on January 15.) Whether or not if this suspension will be a life changer for Kyrgios remains to be seen, but some see an Anna Kournikova in him. In fairness to the Aussie, he won three singles titles this year (apart from the Hopman Cup). Chris Kermode, ATP executive chairman and president, hoped the Australian would use his time away from the game constructively.

ATP's #NextGen

The ATP thought of ways to make the men's tour more attractive to fans and sponsors, so they introduced the Young Guns. They were touted to replace Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray, who have dominated the tour for more than a decade. Dominic Thiem, a few years older than Kyrgios, would lead the young charge. This was a breakthrough year for the Austrian, who won reached the finals of six tournaments. He has a good chance of competing in the ATP Tour Finals for the first time (next month). It remains to be seen if Thiem will keep his consistency next season.

Lucas Pouille, who reached the round of 16 of the Paris Masters two years ago, made his move these past months. He broke the Top 20 after reaching the quarterfinals of the US Open, winning his first singles title at Moselle, France. (He beat Thiem in the finals.) The Frenchman would learn about mental fortitude and perseverance from Federer and Nadal. If would continue this form, then expect him to be the top French player next season. Alexander Zverev is another young gun to watch out for. The German teenager is modest about his achievements, but he's not far away as well.

"We have been playing on the tour a lot of years without new generation that we have today," says Nadal, approvingly.

Much hype was put on those players, and they have done well. There's no changing of the guards, as players like Kei Nishikori become permanent fixtures in the Top 10. Moreover, Stan Wawrinka had shown that anyone could win three Grand Slam titles under the radar. Kyrgios vowed to quit the game at a young age of 27, as he would plan to pursue a basketball career. Andre Agassi suggested a new coach, who would inspire him. Kyrgios might be looking at Darren Cahill. The Adelaide native coached Lleyton Hewitt and Agassi. He might be the missing piece in Kyrgios's program.

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