Nick Kyrgios pleaded guilty to assault in a charge stemming from pushing a former girlfriend to the ground in January 2021.
Magistrate Judge Jane Campbell declined to issue a conviction on the charge in the Australian Capital Territory Magistrates Court and said the incident was closer to “stupidity” and “frustration.”
Kyrgios’ psychologist, Sam Borenstein, gave testimony by phone and issued a written report. He said Kyrgios shoved Chiara Passari in a time when he was in an extreme depressive state, abusing drugs and alcohol and contemplating suicide. In Borenstein’s testimony, he said Kyrgios’ mental health led to impulsive and reckless behavior.
Kyrgios appeared in court on crutches and didn’t speak to reporters but issued a statement through his agents.
“I respect today’s ruling and am grateful to the court for dismissing the charges without conviction,” Kyrgios said. “I was not in a good place when this took place and I reacted to a difficult situation in a way 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 seem overwhelming. But I’ve found that getting help and working on myself has helped me to feel better and to be better.”
He’s bidding to return to the ATP Tour at Indian Wells, Calif., in March after undergoing knee surgery.
Kyrgios, a 27-year-old Australian, hasn’t played competitively this season because of an injury to his left knee. He pulled out of the Australian Open because of the injury, a small tear and a cyst in the lateral meniscus.
“The surgery was a great success,” his manager, Daniel Horsfall, told Australian media. “We couldn’t have been more pleased with the outcome of it. Now we will be pushing ahead for a speedy recovery and are aiming to see everyone at Indian Wells.”
The tournament will begin March 8.
Kyrgios, who has seven career singles titles, had been seeded 19th in the Australian Open.
“I’m devastated, obviously,” he said when he announced his withdrawal from the Grand Slam event. “It’s like my home tournament. … All I can do now is just look forward, do what I need to do and come back.”
–Field Level Media
