Nick Kyrgios has been replaced by Bernard Tomic in Australia’s Davis Cup team to face Great Britain in next week’s semi-final in Glasgow.
Tennis Australia confirmed its line-up – Lleyton Hewitt, Sam Groth, Thanasi Kokkinakis and Tomic – with captain Wally Masur explaining that Kyrgios’ absence was by mutual agreement so the volatile 20-year-old can focus on his personal and professional development.
“After some good healthy discussion with Nick and his team, we have agreed on a plan to help him develop all aspects of his game and ensure a long and successful future in the sport,” Masur said. “Next week’s tie has come a bit too soon for him and is not in that plan.”
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Controversy has followed Kyrgios around since his 2014 breakthrough, when he knocked Rafael Nadal out of Wimbledon.
At this year’s Wimbledon he was moved to deny accusations of abusing an umpire and throwing a game, and while subsequently on Davis Cup duty against Kazakhstan he shouted “I don’t want to be here” while on court.
He was then fined for vulgar abuse aimed at opponent Stan Wawrinka at last month’s Montreal Masters.
