Nick Kyrgios expressed his gratitude but also remorse for his actions after ACT Magistrates Court ruled he would be convicted for assaulting ex-girlfriend Chiara Passari. On Friday, Kyrgios pleaded guilty to assaulting his ex-girlfriend but avoided conviction.
“I respect today’s ruling and I’m grateful to the court for dismissing the charges without conviction. I was not in a good place when this happened 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 allowed me to feel better and to be better. I can never thank Costeen, my family and friends enough for supporting me through this process.
I now plan to focus on recovering from injury and moving forward in the best way possible,” Kyrgios wrote on his Instagram Story.
Nick Kyrgios on Instagram.
(An initial bid to have the assault charge thrown out on mental health grounds was rejected but the case was dismissed after his guilty plea because, it was a ‘single act of frustration or stupidity.’ Judge also pointed to time elapsed and publicity) pic.twitter.com/CoG4hso8i8 — The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) February 3, 2023
Kyrgios pleaded guilty to assault, avoided conviction
Initially, Kyrgios’ lawyers tried to get the case dismissed on mental health grounds but their attempt failed.
In the court, it was revealed that the actual incident happened in 2021 January, not in 2021 December as initially believed. During a dispute in Canberra, Kyrgios called an Uber to go home. But Passari didn’t want to let Kyrgios just leave as she stood passenger side and the door to prevent it from closing.
In the court, it was revealed that the Uber driver would not leave until the door was closed. Then, it was revealed that Kyrgios told Passari: “Leave me the f— alone, I’m going home and don’t want to be with you. Just f—— piss off.” Kyrgios then shoved Passari, who suffered a sore shoulder and grazed knee.
After the court dismissed Kyrgios’ plea to have the case dismissed on mental health grounds, the Australian tennis star pleaded guilty. But moments later, Magistrate Beth Campbell ruled that Kyrgios would not be convicted.
Magistrate Beth Campbell said Kyrgios did “act poorly in the heat of the moment” but also added that his action was at the lower end of the scale of common assault.
