2 yıl önce

Tennis star Kyrgios pleads guilty to assaulting girlfriend

The Australian court didn't record a conviction against Kyrgios for reasons including that the offence was at the low end of seriousness for a common assault, and was not premeditated.

Reuters

The court described it as an act of “stupidity” and “frustration.”

Tennis star Nick Kyrgios haspleaded guilty to assaulting a former girlfriend, but avoided a conviction for what the magistrate called a "single act of stupidity".

The Canberra magistrate dismissed the assault charge against the 27-year-old Australian player on Friday.

Appearing in a Canberra court, the Wimbledon finalist admitted assaulting then-girlfriend Chiara Passari on January 10, 2021, by pushing her to the ground after a heated argument.

Passari lodged a complaint with police 10 months later, after they had broken up, lawyers told the court.

In a statement read to the court, Passari said she had been severely traumatised by the incident, experiencing severe weight loss, staying in bed day and night – unable to sleep or form new romantic relationships.

Lawyers for Kyrgios had appealed to have the charge, one count of common assault, dismissed on mental health grounds, arguing it was an isolated incident and out of character.

Psychologist Sam Borenstein told the court Kyrgios suffered from recurring major depression, which included black periods, thoughts of self-harm, insomnia, agitation and feelings of guilt.

Borenstein said the tennis star had relied on alcohol and drugs as a means of coping, but was now making progress in dealing with the issues.

"As we speak now his mental health has improved significantly," Borenstein said.

Magistrate Beth Campbell heard that appeal but ultimately dismissed the charge.

'Act of stupidity'

Campbell said Kyrgios acted poorly but the offence was not planned or premeditated and was a "single act of stupidity" by a young man attempting to extricate himself from a tense situation.

Kyrgios was said to have shoved Passari, who was preventing him from leaving her Canberra apartment.

"I do not record a conviction against your name, I do not find any necessity to place you on a good behaviour bond," Campbell said.

Kyrgios, who has clashed with media in the past, did not speak to reporters on his way into the building.

Canberra-born Kyrgios, known for his mercurial talent and on-court outbursts, has spoken publicly in the past about his battles with depression and the pressures of global tennis fame.

"I'm proud to say I've completely turned myself around and have a completely different outlook on everything, I don’t take one moment for granted," he wrote on Instagram last year.

The case was adjourned in October, as Kyrgios prepared to play the Japan Open, so experts could prepare mental health reports for the court.

He is currently ranked 20th in the world.

SOURCE: AFP