Friday 17 May 2019 07:26, UK
Roger Federer thinks Nick Kyrgios should be spared suspension by ATP tour bosses looking into the Australian's chair-tossing outburst at the Italian Open.
After Casper Ruud broke back to make it 1-1 in the deciding set, Kyrgios was given a game penalty for allegedly swearing at a line judge, and promptly exploded with anger.
He slammed his racket down, kicked a water bottle and then hurled a chair onto the court. Kyrgios told the crowd "I'm done", packed up his bag and walked off to loud whistles and jeers.
Twenty-time grand slam champion Federer has suggested a fine and points penalty should be punishment enough for Kyrgios' ill-tempered display.
In 2016 Kyrgios was banned for eight tournament weeks and fined after walking off court midway through a match against Mischa Zverev at the Shanghai Masters.
"I don't think he should be suspended, personally, because he walked off the court," said Federer.
"What did he do? He hurt a chair? I don't know. It's not enough for me. I don't know if he's on probation or not from his Shanghai thing or not, if that's the case then obviously maybe it can be looked into.
"But if that's run its course I don't think he should be suspended. I think a zero-pointer, a fine - all this stuff is already tough enough and he knows it's a mistake what happened."
