Nick Kyrgios Gets Some Attitude Tips From Shane Warne, John McEnroe

Nick Kyrgios is seen here during his Rd 1 match of US Open. He lost to Andy Murray.

© AFP

Once cricket's naughty boy, Shane Warne has advised tennis' 'bad boy' Nick Kyrgios to mend his ways. Spin-king Warne has shown some genuine concern for the young Aussie tennis player who made headlines after making sex slurs at Stanislas Wawrinka in Canada last month.

Kyrgios lost to Andy Murray in the US Open and most of his post-match press conference dwelt on his behaviour. Most players on the circuit have slammed Kyrgios for being petulant and disrespectful. Kyrgios was slapped with a 28-day ban and US$25,000 fine over his verbal abuse of Wawrinka at the Rogers Cup in Montreal. But both punishments will be waived if he avoids any fines for verbal or physical abuse at ATP events over the next six months.

Kyrgios always finds new ways to court problems. When a journalist asked for an interview with Kyrgios after his first round US Open loss to Murray, he pulled his chewing gum from his mouth and handed the 'wad' to a female staffer, Sports Illustrated reported. "She smiled and stuck the wad into her left palm," journalist S.L Price reported. (Also read: Supermodel tennis star Bouchard backs Kyrgios)

Kyrgios then started answering questions about his shocking sledge of Swiss star Wawrinka about his girlfriend, Croatian player Donna Vekic.

No stranger to controversies, Warne had some advice for Kyrgios through his official Facebook page. He wrote: "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. Remember respect is way more important than being liked, u need to respect the game of tennis & yourself. (Nick Kyrgios Out: Ten Reasons Why US Open 2015 May Not be Fun Anymore. Thank God?)

"We all make mistakes, but it's how we learn from them & the way we conduct ourselves when we lose that shows true character. You're testing our patience mate, show us what you're made of & how hungry you are to be the best in the world, it's time to step up & start winning, no excuses.

"No shame in losing, but show us you will never give up, that you will give it everything to be the best you can be, respect is earned not given ! I believe in you & know you can do it, but now's the time my friend...

Warne is not the only one smashing Kyrgios. John McEnroe slammed the temperamental Aussie during a broadcast, calling him a 'bonehead.'

'An absolute brain freeze. Absolute stupidity. He could have volleyed that away for another break-point chance,' McEnroe said on ESPN, after Kyrgios failed with an audacious attempt to hit a trick shot at a crucial moment in the second set. Kyrgios lost 7-5, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1.

"I hope he learns from these bonehead moves. He should be a seed already, at least 20. You don't want to be remembered as a clown. You want to be remembered as a player.

"So he better step up. Otherwise he won't be talked about too much," McEnroe, who was also known for his volatile mood on court, said.