Nick Kyrgios issues statement after receiving a lengthy ban for ‘tanking’

Australia's number one men's tennis player has apologised for recent controversies after being handed an eight-week ban by the ATP tour.

Kyrgios has also been hit with a five-figure fine after 'tanking' in a Shanghai Masters match against German pro Mischa Zverev - with the tour describing his actions as 'Conduct Contrary to the Integrity of the Game'. The 21-year-old came in for criticism after the way he lost to Zverev, and was even booed off court by a segment of the crowd in China. His ban will keep him out of action until January 15 - meaning he would be able to return in time for the Australian open the following day - but he could return as soon as November 7 if he 'enters a plan of care under the direction of a Sports Psychologist, or an equivalent plan approved by ATP'.

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'Following the ATP’s decision today I would like to take this opportunity to apologise again for the circumstances in Shanghai,' Kyrgios' statement reads. 'The season has been a long one as I battled several injuries and other challenges towards the end of the summer. The Asian circuit was particularly tough after the long week and win in Tokyo and with the travel throughout the continent, my body finally just gave out in Shanghai both physically and mentally.' If Kyrgios is out of action for the full eight weeks, he will miss out on the end-of-season ATP Masters - he's currently sitting in 12th spot in the race for London, and would have been hoping to use the forthcoming tournaments to close in on the eighth and final spot which is (at the time of writing) occupied by Austria's Dominic Thiem. 'I regret that my year is ending this way and that I will not have a chance to continue chasing the ATP Finals. This was an important goal for me,' the Australian said in his statement, which you can read in full here. Catch up with the latest episode of Football Friday Live: