Nick Kyrgios blatantly tanks, argues with spectators during bizarre display to exit Shanghai Masters

In stunning scenes at the prestigious event, the 12th-seeded Australian looked uninterested and seemed not to be trying for most of the match in a 6-3 6-1 loss to 110th-ranked qualifier Mischa Zverev of Germany.

The low point of the performance came midway through the opening set when Kyrgios lobbed a soft serve into play and walked off the court before his opponent had hit a return.

It drew admonition from chair umpire Ali Nili, who told Kyrgios: “Nick ... You can’t play like that, OK? That’s not professional ... this is a professional tournament, we have to act professional and play with your best effort the whole time.”

KYRGIOS MAY FACE ATP TOUR FINE, SUSPENSION FOR TANKING

Audible boos came for the Aussie from the small crowd. The 21-year-old also argued with fans who were jeering him over his lack of effort.

He spoke after the match and didn’t back down from his confrontational stance.

Asked if he could understand the fans’ frustration, Kyrgios wasn’t sympathetic.

“Not at all. I feel like if they knew what they were talking about they’d be on the tennis court and being successful as well,” he said.

“I can’t really understand it at all. They don’t know what I’m going through, so no, I don’t understand it.

“I don’t owe them anything. It’s my choice. If you don’t like it, I didn’t ask you to come watch. Just leave.

“If you’re so good at giving advice and so good at tennis, why aren’t you as good as me? Why aren’t you on the tour?

“You want to buy a ticket? Come watch me. You know I’m unpredictable. It’s your choice. I don’t owe you anything. Doesn’t affect how I sleep at night.”

Kyrgios had been an outside chance to qualify for the eight-player ATP World Tour Finals.

“I couldn’t care less, to be completely honest with you,” he said.

Bizarrely, the performance came amid a hot streak for Kyrgios, who had climbed to a career-high No. 14 ranking and was riding a six-match winning streak, including winning last week’s Japan Open.

Kyrgios also asked the umpire to call time early at one stage “so I can finish this match and go home.”

The lethargic performance shocked one TV commentator, who said: “I would be embarrassed. I would feel I was disrespecting the tour, personally.”

A barrage of criticism followed on social media from some of the most respected voices in the game, some of whom suggested he should be disciplined by the ATP.

Kyrgios struggled to break into a run, rushed his serve and generally looked like he’d rather be anywhere else.

Kyrgios beat world No.29 Sam Querrey 6-4 6-4 in the first round in Shanghai and offered an unusual quote afterwards.

“I was just a little bit bored at times,” Kyrgios said. “I was feeling very tired today.”

He expanded on that on Wednesday, claiming he was “physically tired, mentally tired.”

“It was just tough. Obviously I played a lot of matches in a row,” he said. “Physically tired, mentally tired.

Masur predicts greatness1:07

Tennis: Wally Masur believes Nick Kyrgios is well on his way to achieving greatness in tennis.

• October 12th 2016
• 6 days ago
• /video/video.news.com.au/Sport/Tennis/

Masur predicts greatness

“That’s why I’m trying to work on being able to be consistent every week. Just took the easy way out tonight and obviously didn’t show up at all.

“I wasn’t so much frustrated. I just tapped out a little bit, I guess.”

His opponent, Zverev, was as surprised by Kyrgios’ actions as much an anyone.

“It was definitely a match that I did not expect was going to go that way,” he said. “It happened to be a little easier than I expected.”

Earlier in they day, Tennis TV broadcast an interview with Kyrgios during which the Australian said he was “responding well” to behavioural issues of the past.

“I’m trying to tick all the boxes and do all the one percenters,” Kyrgios said.

“I had a lot of success as a young guy and obviously (there is) a lot of pressure is out on me, they expect a lot.

“I would have dealt with some things in the past a little differently than I did. But I feel like I’m learning to block it out and just play. It has taken me a while but I think I have responded well.”

Last week, Kyrgios won his first ATP 500-level event in Tokyo to climb to a career-high ranking.

Masur: It's been a great year2:23

Tennis: Wally Masur joins the team to talk about the recent run of good form by Nick Kyrgios.

• October 12th 2016
• 6 days ago
• /video/video.news.com.au/Sport/Tennis/

Masur: It's been a great year

A year that has seen Kyrgios claim his first three ATP titles and double his career prize money has also witnessed several early round flame-outs.

He lost his first match at Indian Wells to Albert Ramos-Vinolas (then ranked 49th), his first match in Toronto to Denis Shapovalov (then 370th) and his first match in Chengdu to Kevin Anderson (then 45th).

The 21-year-old Australian had put his improved recent form down to starting work with former Watford football strength and conditioner Martin Skinner three weeks ago.

“When (he) first met me he couldn’t really believe where I was physically and what I was doing at this level,” said Kyrgios, who has climbed 22 spots since being ranked 46th in April last year.

Originally published as ‘Total disgrace’: Kyrgios’ shocking tank job