'Needs serious help': Ex-player's concerned Nick Kyrgios call

Former women's tennis star Daniela Hantuchova has added her weight to the wave of criticism around Nick Kyrgios.

The Aussie's explosive Cincinnati meltdown has seen fans, fellow tennis players and the wider sporting public condemn the 24-year-old.

The ATP whacked Kyrgios with a record fine last Thursday, docking the Aussie $US113,000 ($A167,000) after his extraordinary blow-up during a second round defeat to Karen Khachanov at the Cincinnati Masters.

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.

Speaking during her commentary duties for Amazon Prime, Hantuchova says Kyrgios' problems extend beyond just his attitude on the tennis court.

"He actually needs serious help," the Slovakian said.

"Not only on the tennis stuff but I think on his life in general because that’s the reason he’s behaving how he is on the tennis court.

"I think he has so many issues going on outside the court."

Hantuchova’s co-caller and former men's World No.4 Greg Rusedski agreed - insisting the Aussie needed to work harder at cleaning up his act.

"Last time he got pushed out of the game and had to take time away from it," Rusedksi said.

"You look [now] and did that really work? He hired a sports psychologist, did it make a difference in his behaviour?

"I think he needs a regular therapist to deal with other issues so he can behave himself on the court.

"And he has to believe in these things because he is such a talented player. But his performance on the court was unacceptable."

Olympian worried about Kyrgios' influence on kids

Among Kyrgios' many critics from outside the tennis world was Australian Olympic legend Sally Pearson, who claimed his antics were sending the wrong message to children.

Pearson, speaking on Nine’s Sport Sunday, said it would be better if we were talking about Kyrgios’ tennis rather than his outbursts.

"I'm seeing a very frustrated athlete and I'm feeling very frustrated watching it," she said on the show.

"It's disappointing because it takes away the talk of sport. We're talking about his personality, we're talking about his attitude.

"There was talk that he gave one of his racquets away to the children in the stands that was all smashed up and broken.

"What message is that sending to kids? That it's okay to do this? That it's okay to smash your racquets and you're gonna get more publicity out of this, you're gonna get more sponsorships.

"I don't know whether that's the right thing to do."

Kyrgios’ ‘disgusting’ tantrum

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 took umbrage with Murphy, who he has previous history with, over his monitoring of the shot clock and berated the Irishman for most of the match.

He became obsessed with the issue, repeatedly calling Murphy a "potato" and labelling him a "disgrace" and the "worst ref in the world", before spitting in his direction at the conclusion of the match.

With agencies