Tennis: Nick Kyrgios' ban to be slashed

Nick Kyrgios of Australia. Photo / Getty

Nick Kyrgios is set for a reprieve, with his ATP Tour ban expected to be slashed.

Kyrgios was suspended for eight weeks and fined more than $50,000 for 'not giving his best effort' at this month's Shanghai Masters.

But the ATP said it would reduce the ban to three weeks if the troubled star engaged a sports psychologist.

While Kyrgios's management and Tennis Australia have declined to discuss the matter, the sports' governing body has revealed that the 21-year-old is receiving treatment.

"Nick has taken up the care plan on offer to him from the ATP. The details and contents of the plan are strictly confidential," the ATP said.

Despite remaining tight-lipped about the specific details of Kyrgios's 'care plan' or how long he was committed to it, it appears Australia's world No.13 will be allowed to compete again from the week beginning on November 7.

In any case, Kyrgios' season is over with no more tournaments scheduled for 2016 other than next month's World Tour Finals in London.

He did not qualify for the elite eight-man event despite soaring to his career-high ranking and winning his first three ATP titles in an otherwise successful 2016 campaign.

The likely easing of his suspension will, though, allow Kyrgios to launch his Australian summer at the ITF-run Hopman Cup without any ATP sanctions hanging over him.

- AAP