World No. 1 Novak Djokovic believes Nick Kyrgios has the potential to become a top player, but the 10-time Grand Slam winner insists the controversial Aussie tennis pro should consider the advice of Australian greats like Rod Laver.

Kyrgios lost his second round match against Kei Nishikori of Japan 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 at the Shanghai Masters and earned his third code violation warning in the past week after slapping away a bouncing ball, nearly hitting the central line judge.

Djokovic, coming off a victory for his sixth China Open title after defeating career rival Rafael Nadal, said Kyrgios should get stronger mentally and listen to advice of more experienced tennis players, especially Australian greats like Laver and Pat Rafter.

"I think Nick has to learn from these kind of matches, listen to the advice of the more experienced people, especially from his country, Pat Rafter, Rod Laver, all the greats that have made the history of this sport,” Djokovic said, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. “I'm sure they know, they understand the kind of mental challenges he's facing.”

Laver has urged Kyrgios to end his on-court antics after the 20-year-old Australian received his second code violation warning in his ATP Masters 1000 opener against Andreas Haider-Maurer. Laver said he admires Kyrgios’ raw talent in playing tennis but insisted that the world No. 32 should understand how to play like a champion.

“(Kyrgios) has got to be told and with the penalty systems and the fine systems, I don’t know that the answer is for Nick (to learn),” Laver told Fox Sports. “But he’s just got to be able to understand to be a champion, which he certainly has the ability to be, he’s got to understand it’s bigger than just his game because he’s certainly got all the shots.”

Kyrgios’ suspension started when he sledged Stan Wawrinka in August at the Montreal Masters, where a courtside microphone picked up the Aussie youngster’s revelation that his fellow Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis had been with the Swiss’ girlfriend. He has to serve a 28-day ban from ATP World Tour if he accrues $5000 (AU$6823) in fines before February.

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