ing social media and commentary boxes into meltdown.

BRISBANE, Australia -- That latest outburst from Nick Kyrgios has commentators and critics in Australia divided over whether the tennis prodigys career would be better served by a harsher punishment or a reassuring hug.The 21-year-old Australian was fined a total of $16,500 for tanking -- or showing a lack of best efforts -- unsporting conduct and verbally abusing a spectator during a bizarre second-round exit at the Shanghai Masters. Some critics wondered why it didnt warrant a ban.After rushing through a 6-3, 6-1 loss to German qualifier Mischa Zverev, when he failed to put any speed on some serves, started walking off court at one point before the return crossed the net and was cautioned by the chair umpire about his conduct as a professional, Kyrgios responded angrily to the taunt of a fan by shouting, You want to come here and play?In a post-match interview, he said he didnt care about the crowd reaction because he didnt owe them anything. It was a day after his opening win, when he said he was tired and bored and didnt really get time to savor his title-winning run in Tokyo over the weekend.Its just the latest run-in with the tennis authorities. Last year, he also insulted Stan Wawrinka with crude remarks during a match in Montreal. He received $12,500 in fines, as well as a suspended 28-day ban and a potential further $25,000 fine if he picked up any other major offenses over the following six months. His probation for that ended in February.He attracted criticism for his performances at Wimbledon and at the U.S. Open, for deciding not to play at the Olympics because of a spat with an Australian team official, and for firing back at retired players who have offered advice.For some, the unpredictable tantrums and volatile swings add an element of seat-of-your-pants entertainment to the game. Tennis traditionalists tend to be scathing of the behavior. All agree hes got talent, and that maybe a bit of time out would do Kyrgios no harm.Jeff Bond, who worked as a psychologist at the Australian Institute of Sport for 22 years, said Kyrgios had earned enough that the fine likely wouldnt deter more meltdowns.Does he care about the fine? No he doesnt, Bond told Australian Associated Press. If it was a suspension he might (care), but not a monetary fine.People who are high on self-confidence, you know, the `me, me, me thing, are unlikely to seek support from any kind of professional unless ... theyve got their back against the wall.After a win in Shanghai, Wimbledon champion Andy Murray questioned whether a fine was the best way to discipline young players.I dont know if that stops that happening again, he said. Im not convinced about that.University of Canberra Sports psychologist Assistant Professor Richard Keegan told AAP that it was impossible to evaluate Kygrios from watching him on television, but its important to ask, Are you OK, mate? That theme was echoed by commentators who said all that Kyrgios needed was time and space to work out what he wants from the game.After his loss, Kyrgios posted an apology of sorts on Twitter: Not good enough today on many levels, Im better than that. I can go on about excuses but there are none. Sorry (hash)StillAWorkInProgress. He signed it off with emoticons of crying face and a disappointed face.After the fine, he posted again, this time starting with emoticons of a thinking face and a face with tears of joy and added, it never ends.And later again, he retweeted a quote card from the Miami Open featuring comments from No. 1-ranked Novak Djokovic, made during a subsequent news conference in Shanghai.Not many great things are spoken about him lately, Djokovic said. Im sorry to hear that, because I share the opinion of many players and many people in the tennis world that hes one of the greatest talents the game has seen lately.Last week, the ATP was promoting Kyrgios is its mover of the week after he moved up two places in the rankings to No. 12 by winning in Tokyo, his third title of the season. Former No. 1-ranked Lleyton Hewitt, Australias Davis Cup captain, said Kyrgios was showing signs of maturity and could potentially reach the highest levels of the game.The spotlight got too hot, it seems.Veteran columnist Patrick Smith wrote in The Australian newspaper that Kyrgios should be banned for two reasons: His welfare and the health of the game.The performance and behavior in Shanghai brought tennis into disrepute, he said, as much as it has continued the destruction of a gifted young man.With the game under heavy scrutiny for corruption and spot fixing, to see Kyrgios just pop the ball over the net with the power and technique of a child having his first lesson only underlines all these concerns.Smith noted Kyrgios earlier comments about his fatigue and boredom.He has become a prisoner to his singular skill set, he wrote. It might have earned him nearly $5 million in prize money but it has robbed him of his youth. Stitched USA Soccer Jerseys . No. 13-seeded John Isner and No. 21 Philipp Kohlschreiber were among six players who dropped out of the tournament on Tuesday, joining No. 12 seed Tommy Haas and two other players who withdrew on Monday. Cheap USA Soccer Jerseys .C. -- When North Carolina freshman Ryan Switzer reported to training camp in August he was a little miffed to learn he was third on the depth chart at punt returner. https://www.cheapusasoccer.com/ . -- Hunter Smith scored the winner with just 12 seconds remaining in the third period as the Oshawa Generals edged the host Sarnia Sting 5-4 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. USA Soccer Pro Shop . Nathan MacKinnon, Jamie McGinn and Jan Hejda also scored for the Avalanche, who won despite being outshot 38-23. MacKinnons goal, also on the power play, came with just over a minute remaining. USA Soccer Shirts . Speaking to the Chicago Tribune at baseballs Winter Meetings in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Boras called the former home of the Expos a "tremendous environment" for baseball. Referees boss Tony Archer has defended the bunkers decision to controversially deny Brisbane a try in their NRL loss to the Sydney Roosters.The bunker was blasted after video referee Bernard Sutton overturned the on-field decision to award Broncos forward Herman Eseese a four-pointer in the 75th minute of Thursday nights match.Sutton claimed Eseese had committed a double movement, despite appearing to have been rolled over in-goal by two defenders, sending social media and commentary boxes into meltdown.However, Archer backed the call on Friday.The rules relating to this area of the game are that a try should be awarded if momentum of the tackled player carries him into the in-goal, Archer told NRL.com.However, a tackled player should be penalised if he makes a seecond movement to place the ball over the line for a try.dddddddddddd.Archer also argued that Eseese, yet to score a try in his debut season, had pushed his feet from the ground in a bid to get over the tryline in addition to extending the arm carrying the football.Eseese then used his leg to push forward towards the tryline as well as promoting the ball over the defenders. Under the rule, this constitutes a second movement, Archer said.I understand people will debate this decision in regards to the momentum of the tackle.But the generating of the players own momentum and promotion of the ball over a defender means that it is a no try. ' ' '