Tennis ACT boss Ross Triffit has called for an end to the "cheap" racist shots being taken at Canberra star Nick Kyrgios as debate rages about his potential involvement in the Olympic Games.
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Kyrgios outed racist comments on social media on Sunday after copping a barrage of abuse following Australian Olympic chef de mission Kitty Chiller's declaration that she was keeping a close eye on Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic's behaviour.
Fairfax Media revealed last year Kyrgios had been sized up for his Australian Olympic uniform and it is believed he is keen to make the trip to Rio if he is fit and healthy.
The Olympics is wedged in between two tennis grand slams — Wimbledon and the US Open. But the chance to play for Australia and chase a medal looms as an opportunity too good to pass up.
That hasn't stopped Kyrgios' detractors from waging war on the 21-year-old despite his impressive on-court form and his continued rise up the rankings.
Kyrgios, who has Greek and Malaysian heritage, said he was racially vilified "more than you think" when replying to fans on Twitter. Triffitt said it was time for the abuse to stop.
"It's very hard to watch that sort of stuff go on," Triffitt said.
"Nick is a very proud Australian and is very proud to represent Australia in Davis Cup and I'm sure he will in the Olympics as well. He's a proud Canberran, too.
"I think those [racist] comments are very unfair. He's a kid that's in the spotlight and people are just taking cheap shots at him. He's dealing with all of that as well as trying to play some amazing tennis."
Tomic's public perception has taken an absolute battering in the past week after tanking on match point in a loss at Madrid and then retiring after just eight minutes into the opening round of the Rome Masters.
It has put Tomic's French Open preparations in disarray. He cited illness for his early exit in Rome, despite leading Benoit Paire 2-1.
"I was feeling bad all night," Tomic said.
"I couldn't play with the heat. I felt so, so bad and I felt like I was going to collapse. It was the best thing for me to do to retire. The main thing is to get it out of my system."
Kyrgios has been working hard to earn respect via his results and notched a massive win against Stan Wawrinka in Madrid last week
He started his campaign in Rome against Salvatore Caruso on Monday night and is on track to break into the world's top 20 in the coming weeks.
Kyrgios is currently ranked No. 20 and experts are tipping him to make a charge at the French Open from May 17.
Chiller has said the Australian Olympic Committee could take into account how athletes act when deciding who would be selected for the Games in Rio in August.
It's expected Tennis Australia will nominate both Kyrgios and world No.22 Tomic, but the AOC needs to rubber stamp all Olympic selections.
"I think Nick has been thrown in with Tomic in regards to Olympic selection ... but comparing Nick's performance on the European clay to Tomic's is chalk and cheese," Triffitt said.
"Nick has been putting in a good effort, getting good results and has put in an effort to improve his behaviour on court. But I don't think it's appropriate that Tomic's actions reflect on Nick."
Kyrgios spent time training in Canberra before flying to Europe, with Australian legend Lleyton Hewitt and Jason Stoltenberg travelling to the capital to offer assistance.
It is hoped the multi-million dollar set up at Tennis ACT's new Lyneham facility will help Kyrgios' career by allowing him to train in Canberra rather than in Melbourne.
