London | Woman takes legal action against Kyrgios

In one of his much highlighted on-court eruptions, Nick Kyrgios the controversial Australian, accused a spectator of being drunk whilst he was losing the Wimbledon final to Novak Djokovic and the woman, Anna Palus, now intends to sue the 27-year-old from Canberra.

During the course of the final, Nick Kyrgios made a reckless and entirely baseless allegation against me Anna Palus

Announcing her intention to bring defamation proceedings against the tennis star, Ms Palus described the allegations last Monday as being “reckless and entirely baseless”.

“On Sunday, July 10, 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,” Ms Palus claimed in a statement released by UK defamation lawyer Brett Wilson LLP.

“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 that (sic) 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.”

During last Julys final which he lost over four sets, the Aussie complained to the umpire that a fan was ‘drunk’ and requested her removal.

At the time he said: “She is distracting me when I am serving in a Wimbledon final… she is drunk out of her mind in the first row speaking to me in the middle of the game, so kick her out… I know which one she is, it’s the one who looks like she has had about 700 drinks… she is talking to me in the middle of the point every time I get the ball.”

Kyrgios, the world No.26, is also facing court proceedings in Australia after being accused of assaulting a former partner.

He is due to compete at the US Open, which starts next week and has yet to comment on this latest development.