Nick Kyrgios has avoided conviction after pleading guilty to assaulting his ex-girlfriend.
The 27-year-old tennis star pushed Chiara Passari to the ground during an argument in Canberra in January 2021.
AFP
Kyrgios appeared in court on Friday
Kyrgios, who reached the Wimbledon final last year, saw an offer to have the charge dismissed on mental health grounds.
Magistrate Beth Campbell called the incident “an act of stupidity” but said it was not a premeditated act on Kyrgios’ part.
“I respect today’s decision and am grateful to the court for dismissing the charges without conviction,” he said in a statement.
“I was out of position when it happened and reacted to a difficult situation in a way that I deeply regret.
“I know it wasn’t OK and I’m sincerely sorry for the hurt I caused.
“Mental health is tough. Life can feel overwhelming. But I’ve found that getting help and working on myself has made me feel better and be better.
AFP
The Aussie pleaded guilty to assaulting his ex-girlfriend
He also added: “I will never be able to thank Costeen [Hatzi, his new partner]my family and friends for supporting me through this process.
“I now plan to focus on recovering from injury and moving forward in the best way possible.”
The court heard Kyrgios had been charged over the incident which took place outside Passari’s flat in Canberra as he tried to leave in an Uber.
Ms Passari stood at the door and stopped him from leaving when she was pushed and had grazes on her knee.
Ms Passari reported the incident to the police the following month, but did not file a formal complaint. However, after the couple broke up, Ms Passari filed a formal complaint in December 2021.
Kyrgios is currently out of tennis due to injury, having recently undergone knee arthroscopy.
