Tennis star Nick Kyrgios admits to assaulting ex-girlfriend, avoids conviction

Australia's tennis star Nick Kyrgios has admitted to assaulting an ex-girlfriend but avoided a criminal conviction.

Kyrgios pleaded guilty after his lawyers failed to have charges dismissed on mental health grounds, according to news reports. The former Australian Open doubles champion pushed Chiara Passari onto the pavement during a row in Canberra in 2021, the court heard.

The magistrate called the incident "a single act of stupidity or frustration" while slamming Kyrgios with a criminal record. The 27-year-old Australian tennis player later released a statement saying he was grateful to the court for dismissing the charges without conviction.

"I was not in 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," Kyrgios was quoted as saying in the statement.

The news report further unfolded that Kyrgios pushed Chiara Passari after she stopped his car from driving away while they were arguing on January 10, 2021. While Ms Passari reported the incident to the police the next month, she did not make a formal complaint. After this, the couple resolved their issues and continued their relationship. But after they broke up, Ms Passari made a formal complaint in December 2021.

During the hearing in Canberra, Kyrgios' lawyer argued his client had been trying to reduce their fight by calling an Uber and had repeatedly tried to "lawfully" move Ms Passari away from the car.

"It is in that context and the frustration that resulted, that my client reacted and the offence occurred," Michael Kukulies-Smith said.

The court heard Kyrgios had sworn at Ms Passari and told her to go away. He then put his hands on her hips and moved her an arms length from the door, but Ms Passari stepped back. The tennis star then said: "I'm serious. I'm going to…" before pushing Ms Passari in the shoulder, causing her to fall.

Ms Passari felt some pain and later noticed grazing on her knee, the court heard. The court also heard that Kyrgios apologised the next day - an act that exhibited he accepted responsibility for his actions, his lawyer added further.

"A relationship between the mental health and the offending - even though he no longer suffers it to the same extent today," Kukulies-Smith also told the court.

Kyrgios recently missed the Australian Open to undergo knee surgery. He made the announcement just a day before his first-round singles match against Roman Safiullin.