The controversial Nick Kyrgios has been slapped with a financial penalty after retiring early on during his match with Steve Johnson at the Shanghai Masters.
The Australian has been fined £7,500 and has lost £16,000 in prize money for unsporting conduct as he walked off the court after losing a first-set tiebreak to the American during the opening-round match.
Following Kyrgios’ latest controversy, the the 22-year-old blamed his retirement from the contest on a stomach bug.
Nick Kyrgios walked off after losing the first set against Steve Johnson at Shanghai Masters
It appeared that Kyrgios had walked off in protest at the officiating but the Australian released a statement on social media insisting that he ‘was just not strong enough to continue because I’ve not eaten much the past 24 hours’.
His statement read: ‘Guys, I want to apologise to the fans in Shanghai and those that watched around the world on TV today. I’ve been battling a stomach bug for the past 24 hours and I tried to be ready but I was really struggling on the court today which I think was pretty evident from the first point.
‘My shoulder started to hurt in the practice today which didn’t help either and once I lost the first set I was just not strong enough to continue because I’ve not eaten much the past 24 hours.
‘Im hoping to be okay for the doubles and will make a decision tomorrow morning, hopefully off of a good night’s sleep which I didn’t get last night!
‘I’m gutted to be honest as I was keen to keep the good momentum that I built in Beijing going and finish the year strong. I’ll do what I can to make sure I do.’
However, the Australian’s claims haven’t got him out of jail with Krygios receiving a financial penalty for retiring in Shanghai on Tuesday.