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Tennis great's big warning for volatile Kyrgios

Aussie tennis bad boy Nick Kyrgios has been offered some sobering advice from a former great of the game.

The much-maligned Kyrgios found himself in more trouble at the Shanghai Masters this week when he walked off court mid-match in an apparent protest against the umpiring.

Kyrgios was fined almost $40,000 by the ATP on Wednesday after walking off the court against Steve Johnson after just one set.

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The Aussie later blamed a stomach bug and sore shoulder on the sensational scenes, but was docked his first-round prize money of $27,071 for failing to see the doctor following his retirement. He was fined an additional $12,840 for unsportsmanlike conduct.

He can't stay out of trouble. Image: Getty
He can't stay out of trouble. Image: Getty

French great and former World No.5 Henri Leconte has since offered a word of advice to the 22-year-old.

“You are very fortunate to play tennis," Leconte told Sky Sports on Saturday.

"You are very fortunate to be there. You are very fortunate for everything. Enjoy it, train hard and try at least one or two years — hard.

“Practice everyday, get ready, try, because one day you will wake up and it will be too late.”

The former French Open finalist also echoed the sentiments of a number of other tennis greats that Kyrgios can be hugely successful if he applies himself properly.

“From what I’ve been reading, Kyrgios has said that he is happy to play tennis and wants to give his best,” Leconte said.

“You have to hand it to Australian Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt for pushing him and to be ready for his country was great too.

“If he were to train really hard for one or two years, he has the potential to win a Grand Slam, for sure.”

Leconte (L). Image: Getty
Leconte (L). Image: Getty

Kyrgios's dramatic walk-off came after he was suspended from the ATP Tour for tanking at the very same tournament in China 12 months ago.

He was fined $21,200 and banned for eight weeks for deliberately throwing a game during his second-round defeat by Mischa Zverev in Shanghai.

The ban for "conduct contrary to the integrity of the game" was reduced to three weeks after he agreed to a "care plan" under the direction of a sports psychologist.

with AAP