Shane Warne pens letter to Nick Kyrgios: ‘Don’t waste your talent’

Australian cricket great Shane Warne has penned an open letter to controversial tennis player Nick Kyrgios, advising him not to waste his talent on the tennis court and warning him not to test Australia’s patience. Kyrgios joined Australia’s disappointing season in the US Open after bowing down to world No. 3 Andy Murray in the first round of the tournament.

Warne appears genuinely concerned in his message to Kyrgios, pleading with the young prospect not to waste his talent and respect the game of tennis. Warne, who was no stranger to controversy during his cricket career, posted the message on his Facebook page, lecturing Kyrgios over his on-court tennis antics, most recently against Murray at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

"We all realise you're only 20 & have a lot to learn buddy. But please don't waste your talent, everyone in the world, especially us Australians want to respect u," Warne wrote on his Facebook page.

“The Spin King” was not the only one to scrutinise Kyrgios, who was the major talking point on day two of the US Open. During an appearance on Melbourne radio on Thursday morning, AFL great Tim Watson described Kyrgios as a “tosser,” while premiership coach David Parkin labelled the 20-year-old tennis prospect as “the most disgraceful Australian athlete” he has ever seen.

“Kyrgios is only 20 but that doesn’t excuse his bonehead behaviour,” Watson said, reports News. “He is immature and petulant."

Kyrgios was put on a suspended 28-day ban by the ATP and a threat of $25,000 fine if he misbehaves at one of the tour’s sanctioned events over the next six months. However, the sanction does not apply in Grand Slam tournaments, leaving Kyrgios free to do as he please, which included a one-minute nap after dropping his first set against Murray.

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