The ATP is considering doubling its on-site fines in tournaments, according to the *New York Times*, and increasing its enforcement of the "best effort" rule.
The newspaper said fines could increase to double the current maximum of $10,000 per offense. That includes violations such as audible obscenity, unsportsmanlike conduct, and abuse of equipment in addition to the "best effort" requirement.
This consideration is coming at the end of a season in which Nick Kyrgios was suspended following a lack of effort in his second-round match in Shanghai. The Australian was originally fined $16,500 and then another $25,000 by the ATP Tour.
In addition, Bernard Tomic earned criticism for using his racquet handle to play a match point against him in Madrid, and told the umpire in Sydney earlier in the year that he could not decide if he wanted to keep playing the tournament or get ready for the Australian Open. None of these incidents drew a warning from the umpire.
Other players have also been accused of tanking during the season. A year ago, the ATP sent a letter to players reiterating the "best effort" rule just before the U.S. Open.
"It’s something that we’re looking at very closely," CEO of the ATP Chris Kermode told the Times.
The ATP's executive VP of rules, Gayle Bradshaw, said that he wanted to avoid "missed opportunities to take official action," and would emphasize its enforcement to umpires during the tour's off-season meeting with officials.
The rule requires players to use their best efforts while competing in a tournament, but is rarely applied at the tour level.