An Australian tennis star dodged conviction Friday after pleading guilty to assaulting his former girlfriend two years prior.
Nick Kyrgios, a 2022 Wimbledon finalist, appeared before the Australian Capital Territory Magistrates Court, where he pleaded guilty to shoving then-girlfriend Chiara Passari to the ground during an argument the couple had in Jan. 2021, according to the Associated Press.
Tennis star Nick Kyrgios on Friday pleaded guilty to assaulting his girlfriend in his native Australia, but he avoided conviction and the charge will not remain on his criminal record. https://t.co/gTJjZ7bDab
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) February 3, 2023
The presiding magistrate, Beth Campbell, did not record a conviction against Kyrgios, citing the absence of a prior record and the mild nature of the assault, adding that the lenience was not due to his celebrity, the outlet stated.
“You’re a young man who happens to hit the tennis ball particularly well and your name is widely recognized outside this courtroom,” Campbell told Kyrgrios, per AP. “I deal with you exactly the same way as any young man in this court.”
Kyrgios told the court he regretted his actions and apologized for the hurt he had caused, alluding to his struggles with mental health.
“I respect today’s ruling and am grateful to the court for dismissing the charges without conviction,” Kyrgios said, according to AP. “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 okay and I’m sincerely sorry for the hurt I caused.” (RELATED: Tennis Star Nick Kyrgios Throws Fit Of Rage And Smashed Two Rackets)
“Mental health is tough. Life can seem overwhelming. But I’ve found that getting help and working on myself has helped me to feel better and to be better,” he continued.
Kyrgios, who recently underwent surgery on his left knee, told reporters he is focusing on recovery and getting back on the tennis court.