Either the ATP is simply challenged in the art of writing, or it wanted to gloss over the leniency of the punishment (if there even is additional punishment) by intentionally using vague language. Or both.
Whatever the case, the statement must be cleared up.
Here is the ATP’s original press release:
“ATP COMPLETES REVIEW INTO KYRGIOS INCIDENT”
“PONTE VEDRA BEACH FLORIDA — The ATP has announced that Nick Kyrgios has been found to have committed the player major offence “Aggravated Behavior” after a review of his comments made during his second round match against Stan Wawrinka at the Rogers Cup in Montreal, Canada, on 12 August 2015.
The ATP has imposed a further fine of US$25,000 as well as a suspension for a period of 28 days from any ATP sanctioned event. However, the fine and suspension are withheld on the condition that, over the next six-month period, ending 24 February 2016, the player:
1) does not incur any fines for verbal or physical abuse at any ATP sanctioned tournament, or;
2) does not accumulate fines totalling more than US$5,000 for any other offences at ATP sanctioned tournaments.
Once the player has met those conditions the penalties will be formally dismissed. If the conditions are not met the penalties will be invoked after any appeals process is exhausted.
The ATP review analysed information gathered from various sources on-site and also included a submission on behalf of the player.
In handing down the finding, Gayle David Bradshaw, Executive Vice President, Rules & Competition, said: ‘This incident was egregious and reflected poorly on our sport. Nick has expressed regret, and the best result would be that he learns a lesson from this incident and that he understands he is responsible to the Tour and to fellow players for both his actions and his words. It is with these factors in mind I feel he should have the opportunity to ‘earn’ his way out of additional sanctions.”
Kyrgios had already been fined the on-site maximum of US$10,000 for the offence. In addition, he received a US$2,500 fine for Unsportsmanlike Conduct related to a comment made to a ball person during the match”
Here is the ATP’s statement reproduced for dummies:
“ASSOCIATION OF TENNIS PROFESSIONALS ANNOUNCES A VERDICT–SORT OF BUT NOT REALLY–FOR ITS NICK KYRGIOS INVESTIGATION”
“SMALL, RANDOM CITY IN FLORIDA — The ATP has announced that Nick Kyrgios, during his second-round match at the Rogers Cup in Montreal on August 12, has been found to have told Stan Wawrinka that Thanasi Kokkinakis banged his girlfriend (Donna Vekic) after spending 12 days reviewing a video that others needed no more than a few seconds to understand.
The ATP may end up imposing a fine of $25,000 as well as a suspension for a period of 28 days from any ATP-sanctioned event. This means there is no chance Kyrgios will be suspended from any Grand Slams. And in all likelihood there will be no more punishment of any kind. The additional fine and suspension will not be imposed if Kyrgios satisfies either one of the following conditions in the time period between now and February 24, 2016:
1) does not incur any fines for verbal or physical abuse at any ATP-sanctioned tournament
OR
2) does not accumulate fines totaling more than $5,000 for any other offenses at ATP-sanctioned tournaments.
In other words, if he does not get fined for verbal or physical abuse before February 24, 2016, he will incur no further punishment. If he does not get fined more than $5,000 for things like ball abuse and breaking rackets, he will incur no further punishment. Only if he gets fined for verbal or physical abuse AND gets fined more than $5,000 for other transgressions will he incur the additional fine and suspension.
Keep in mind this is only at ATP events. He can do whatever he wants at Grand Slams–he can even yell to Drake that he banged Serena Williams–and will not be suspended from other tournaments, slams included.
If Kyrgios gets fined for verbal or physical abuse AND gets fined more than $5,000 for other transgressions, he will be fined an additional $25,000 and suspended for 28 days. But he can appeal and would probably win that appeal.
The ATP review gathered evidence from a vine that it ordered to be taken down after it had already been viewed 11,000,000 times and posted on Deadspin, CNN, and other major media outlets. The ATP is not sure what the point of taking something down that already had 11,000,000 views, but hey, the ATP is just like that.
In handing down the finding, Gayle David Bradshaw, Executive Vice President, Rules & Competition, said: ‘This incident was egregious but gave tennis some much-needed publicity. We even made the main page of ESPN.com. Nick regrets that he got caught by the microphone and has not apologized to either Wawrinka or Vekic. The best result would be that he learns a lesson from this incident and continues to behave badly so that tennis will continue to be in the news and attract fans. It is with these factors in mind I feel he has earned his way out of additional sanctions.’
Kyrgios had already been fined the on-site maximum of $10,000 (he’s probably already gained more than that from endorsements stemming from his skyrocketing fame) for the offense. In addition, he received a fine of $2,500 (LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL) for telling a ball boy that he was doing a bad job during the same match against Wawrinka.”
