Nick Kyrgios will be free to play in an NBA celebrity game in February after being released from a tennis commitment.
The Australian is currently banned from the ATP Tour over his behaviour at the recent Shanghai Masters, where he gave up on a game against Mischa Zverev.
Kyrgios last year admitted he would rather play basketball than tennis, and organisers of Rotterdam's ABN Amro event have agreed to release the world No 14 from his contract so he can take part in the NBA's All Star Weekend in New Orleans.
Tournament director Richard Krajicek, a former Wimbledon champion, said: "We could hold him to his word, but we think it does not make much sense to put him on as he is not 100 per cent motivated
"We did it because you saw what happened in China when he was tired and [tennis] has little meaning. Kyrgios prefers his passion over his profession.
"He is doing the right thing because he gets crazy if he only thinks about tennis for six months."
Kyrgios was initially banned for eight weeks for "conduct contrary to the integrity of the game" in Shanghai, but that suspension was later reduced to three weeks after he apologised and agreed to see a sports psychologist.
The 21-year-old has received a public coaching offer, meanwhile, from eight-time grand slam winner Jimmy Connors.
Writing on his Twitter page the American, who used to coach Andy Roddick, said: "Kyrgios - you want to be the best, come see me. You will learn to play, excite, and to win!! It's your choice - or just be mediocre!"
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