NASTY NICK SPARED
Nick Kyrgios admits assaulting ex after shoving her to pavement but AVOIDS conviction after ‘act of stupidity’
NICK Kyrgios has avoided conviction despite admitting he pushed his ex onto the pavement during a row.
The Australian tennis star, 27, pleaded guilty to assaulting his former girlfriend Chiari Passari in his hometown of Canberra in January 2021.
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But Magistrate Jane Campbell spared Kyrgios a criminal record by dismissing the offence as it was at the low end of seriousness for a common assault, and was not premeditated.
Campbell described it as an "act of stupidity and frustration".
Kyrgios, who was using crutches following recent surgery on his left knee, didn't speak to reporters as he left court but issued a statement through a management company.
The 2022 Wimbledon runner-up said: "I respect today's ruling and am grateful to the court for dismissing the charges without conviction.
"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 Im sincerely sorry for the hurt I caused."
Kyrgios and Passari were rowing outside her apartment on January 10, 2012, when he decided to call an Uber.
Passari stood in the way of him closing the front passenger side door, and the driver refused to leave with it open.
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World number 20 Kyrgios eventually pushed Passari, causing her to fall onto the pavement and graze her knee.
Passari signed a police statement alleging the assault 11 months later, after her relationship with Kyrgios had ended.
Psychologist Sam Borenstein told the Australian Capital Territory Magistrates Court Kyrgios had suffered major depressive episodes in the past and had used alcohol and drugs to cope.
Kyrgios' mental health led to impulsive and reckless behavior, Borenstein said.
He added that the tennis ace's recent knee injury had resulted in mild to moderate symptoms of depression, but his mental health was improving.
It comes after Kyrgios pulled out of the Australian Open after suffering a knee injury.
He explained that he was not fit enough to participate following the discovery of a parameniscal cyst growing in his left meniscus.
Kyrgios has been managing a knee complaint since reaching the 2022 Wimbledon final where he lost to Novak Djokovic on Centre Court.
He has played just twice since losing at the US Open quarter-finals in New York and abruptly pulled out of this month’s United Cup in Sydney, much to the annoyance of his Aussie teammates, due to an ankle injury.
Meanwhile, he was fined £12,200 for his outrageous behaviour at the US Open.
Kyrgios smashed three rackets, swore repeatedly and received an unsportsmanlike conduct for throwing a water bottle on the court during his quarter-final exit against Karen Khachanov.
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Prior to that contest, the childish ace had already been fined £16,000 for four separate incidents in his singles and doubles actions.
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How you can get help
Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
- Always keep your phone nearby.
- Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
- If you are in danger, call 999.
- Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
- Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
- Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.
Women’s Aid provides a - available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
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