'Needs a straitjacket': Most savage reaction to Nick Kyrgios tantrum

Critics have lined up to slam Nick Kyrgios in the wake of his latest meltdown, with some even going as far as saying he should be kicked off the men's circuit.

Kyrgios copped the biggest fine on ATP record after his stunning tantrum at the Cincinnati Masters.

The Aussie was hit with a $US113,000 ($A167,000) sanction and also faces a possible suspension for verbally abusing and spitting towards the chair umpire during his second-round defeat to Karen Khachanov on Thursday.

The 24-year-old Australian won the opening set against his Russian opponent, despite foot and ankle issues, before unleashing a profanity-laced tirade at umpire Fergus Murphy, throwing his towel over a camera and forcing broadcasters of the US event to switch to an overhead view.

Kyrgios defied Murphy by taking an unsanctioned toilet break, when he stormed off the court to smash two racquets.

He then returned to continue his war of words with the chair umpire before crashing out of the event.

Kyrgios' refusal to shake Murphy's hand and the fact he spat in the umpire's direction, led to a torrent of criticism from around the world.

Ben Fordham , a Sydney radio presenter for 2GB said Kyrgios “needs a psychiatrist, medication and a straitjacket”.

Speaking on Amazon Prime, pundit Sam Smith said Kyrgios' treatment of the chair umpire was "so disrespectful" and "it cannot go on".

Melbourne radio presenter for 3AW, Neil Mitchell went even further and said Kyrgios' actions had no place on the ATP Tour.

“He’s had too many chances,” Mitchell said.

“Nick Kyrgios must never play for Australia again. He should be thrown off the tennis circuit until he’s too old to pick up a racquet.”

Sports Illustrated writer Jon Wertheim described Kyrgios meltdown as “weirdly deranged” and said his behaviour was “indefensible”.

Spanish writer Nicolas Pereira said: “Kyrgios cannot be controlled, it is a serious problem and a suspension for the remainder of the season can help you in the long term. To the bad example we must add the lack of respect to his colleagues ... but I admit that I like to see him play.”

The outrage was just as strong on social media.

Biggest fine on ATP record, possible suspension

The $113,000 fine is the largest total fine since 1990, the start of the ATP World Tour’s official record books, according to Tennis.com.

The fines included five charges of unsportsmanlike conduct totalling $US85,000, $US20,000 for verbal abuse, $US5,000 for audible obscenity and $US3,000 for leaving the court without permission.

The ATP said they are further investigating whether a suspension is warranted.

"The ATP is looking further into what happened during and immediately after the match to see if additional action is warranted under the Player Major Offense section of the code. That could result in an additional fine and/or suspension," the game's governing body said.

Kyrgios had clashed with Murphy two weeks ago at the Washington Open and was also fined by the ATP after being embroiled in an expletive-ridden rant with Murphy at the Queen's Club Wimbledon warm-up tournament in June.

Nick Kyrgios' list of offences in Cincinnati:

Ball Abuse - Warning

Unsportsmanlike Conduct(Point Penalty) - $20,000

Leaving the court - $3,000

Audible Obscenity - $5,000

Unsportsmanlike Conduct - $5,000

Unsportsmanlike Conduct - $20,000

Verbal Abuse - $20,000

Unsportsmanlike Conduct - $20,000

Unsportsmanlike Conduct - $20,000

With agencies