His controversial on-court behavior has been criticized by fellow tennis professionals, and he was dumped out of the U.S. Open in the first round.
Now Nick Kyrgios has been warned not to waste his talent by fellow Australian Shane Warne — someone who also polarized public opinion during his playing days.
“You’re testing our patience mate,” the former cricketer wrote in an open letter, urging the world No. 37 to change his ways.
“We all realize you’re only 20 & have a lot to learn buddy. But please don’t waste your talent, everyone in the world, especially us Australians want to respect u.”
Kyrgios was punished by the ATP Tour last month after he made lewd comments about the girlfriend of fellow player Stan Wawrinka.
It followed accusations that he did not try during a match at Wimbledon in July, which he lost.
Warne told Kyrgios on his Facebook page that “respect is more important than being liked” and asked him to “show us what you’re made of and how hungry you are to be the best in the world, it’s time to step up & start winning, no excuses.”
Kyrgios, known for his flamboyant strokeplay, was criticized for his shot selection during Tuesday’s first-round loss to world No. 3 Andy Murray in New York. Warne encouraged him to learn from his mistakes.
“We all make mistakes, but it’s how we learn from them & the way we conduct ourselves when we lose that shows true character,” the 45-year-old said.
“No shame in losing, but show us you will never give up, that you will give it everything to be the best you can be, respect is earned not given! I believe in you & know you can do it, but now’s the time my friend.”
CNN contacted Kyrgios and his management team about Warne’s comments, but they declined to comment.
After the defeat by Murray, Kyrgios said he has learned to “keep my mouth shut,” having been slapped with a suspended 28-day ban and a $25,000 fine over his verbal abuse of Wawrinka at the Rogers Cup in Montreal. He was initially fined $10,000 for the August 12 incident.
Warne’s comments received a mixed reaction on Twitter, as some thanked him for passing on the advice, while others accused the former leg-spin bowler of hypocrisy, given he was involved in controversial incidents throughout his career.
Warne is widely acknowledged as one of the best bowlers in cricket history, but in 2003 was banned for taking a prohibited diuretic and was punished more than once by authorities for his fiery on-field antics.