Nick Kyrgios wants to be likedOctober 25, 2016

Nick Kyrgios was fined for his unprofessional conduct in Shanghai. He was banned for eight professional weeks. And he doesn't seem truly repentant about it. Could he be blamed for it? After all, older fans have seen more offensive gestures (and words) from some tennis greats. The Aussie knew that a major trophy (or two) would make media and fans accept his behaviour. But could he do it next season? It seemed unlikely to happen.

Richard Krajicek, the tournament director of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament, revealed that Kyrgios opted for the NBA All-Star Weekend instead of playing in Rotterdam next February. He was committed to the tournament until Krajicek, the 1996 Wimbledon champion, saw what happened in Shanghai.

"We want a top tennis player seen on the court. Kyrgios prefers his passion beyond his profession," he said.

The tennis ban made Kyrgios out of contention for the Newcombe Medal. Wheelchair sensation Dylan Alcott would be in line for the historic accolade (after the turn of events). Jimmy Connors tweeted his coaching service to the Canberran native while Todd Woodbridge admitted that Australia's top-ranked player was out of reach of Tennis Australia (TA). (Woodbridge, one-half of the Woodies, is a Team Australia official.) Pat Cash, the 1987 Wimbledon champion, believed that Kyrgios would be the next guy in line in Grand Slam glory after Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray bowed out. Alas, recent events divided observers and fans. Let's analyse it:

The worst scenario will be Nick Kyrgios quitting at an early age. Cash, the host of CNN's Open Court, won't be surprised if Kyrgios would walk out of the game sooner than what everyone expected. Action speaks louder than words. In Kyrgios's case, his decision not to play in Rotterdam next year would speak volumes. Cash was hoping that it won't turn out that way, as it might haunt Kyrgios. He added that the 21-year-old was exhausted when he arrived in Shanghai. This would suggest that TA wasn't supporting local talents, but Woodbridge denied it. Kyrgios will team up with Daria Gavrilova to defend the Hopman Cup.

Kyrgios certainly needs a coach. But who is the right one for him? Connors and Kyrgios have similarities, but the latter seems skeptical of players who haven't won the French Open. (Ouch!) Darren Cahill had coached Lleyton Hewitt and Andre Agassi, but the Adelaide native is currently a part of Simona Halep's team. Agassi, who wrestled with his personal demons throughout his career, could have been the ideal candidate. He has many commitments, though. John McEnroe is the only one left (at the moment). The seven-time major champion is no longer in Milos Raonic's side, and he has shown tough love to Kyrgios these past two seasons. The Aussie might want to reach out to Mac.

Who will be the next big thing in Australian tennis? Kyrgios's unpredictable nature would bemoan local fans, as Hewitt is the last (Aussie) man to lift a major trophy. Bernard Tomic broke into the Top 20, but he hasn't made it past the fourth round in major tournaments after his quarterfinal appearance at the All England Club five years ago. Sam Groth, a hero of the Davis Cup playoff last season, would be seen more in the Challengers Tour. An injury sidelined Thanasi Kokkinakis throughout the year. Jordan Thompson, who lost a five-setter to Steve Darcis at the US Open, might be the next one in line after Kyrgios. The Sydneysider, 22 years of age, broke into the Top 100 after that epic match in Flushing Meadows. More and more local fans are liking him.

For the meantime, Kyrgios is training along with his girlfriend, Ajla Tomljanovic. She is recovering from a shoulder injury. Eight weeks may not be a long time in the tour, but Kyrgios might be thinking about what he missed in Shanghai. After winning the Japan Open, he may have made a string of good results in the Asia swing and the European indoor court season. He might have broken into the Top 10. Woodbridge, who knew Kyrgios since he was a kid, thought that the young Aussie would want fans to like him. Blame it on the pressure and expectations. And not having a coach may not be a good in the long run.

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