A female tennis fan who attended the 2022 Wimbledon final on Centre Court is taking legal action against Nick Kyrgios.
During a break in the final between Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic, the Australian star began to get animated whilst sitting in his chair. Whilst speaking to the umpire, he referenced a female fan in the crowd. Kyrgios then accused her of having had ‘700 drinks‘ and distracting him from his game.
Anna Palus, who is a lawyer from Poland, was then temporarily removed from the arena after Kyrgios’ allegation. The final continued.
Nick Kyrgios went on to lose the Wimbledon final by three sets to one against Djokovic. The 27-year-old took the first set. However, he lost out on what would have been his first major Grand Slam in his professional tennis career.
Why is Nick Kyrgios subject to legal action?
In a statement released via her lawyers, Palus says that Kyrgios’ allegations caused her ‘considerable harm on the day’.
She also described the remarks as being ‘reckless’ and ‘entirely baseless’. The 32-year-old has instructed her solicitors to bring defamation proceedings against Kyrgios. She wants the Australian to ‘offer a prompt resolution’.
The statement reads: “On Sunday, 10 July, 2022, I attended the final of the Wimbledon tennis championships with my mother. It was an event we had been looking forward to for some time.
“During the course of the final, Nick Kyrgios made a reckless, and entirely baseless, allegation against me. Not only did this cause considerable harm on the day, resulting in my temporary removal from the arena, but Mr Kyrgios’s false allegation was broadcast to, and read by, millions around the world, causing me and my family very substantial damage and distress.
“I am not litigious, but after much consideration, I have concluded that I have no alternative but to instruct my solicitors, Brett Wilson LLP, to bring defamation proceedings against Mr Kyrgios in order to clear my name. The need to obtain vindication, and to prevent repetition of the allegation, are the only reasons for taking legal action.
“Any damages recovered will be donated to charity. Given the extant claim, I am unable to comment further on the events of the day in question. I hope that Mr Kyrgios will reflect on the harm he has caused me and my family, and offer a prompt resolution to this matter.
“However, if he is unwilling to do this, I am committed to obtaining vindication in the High Court.”
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