Tennis star Nick Kyrgios admits to assaulting ex-girlfriend but escapes criminal conviction

Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has escaped a criminal conviction despite admitting to assaulting his ex-girlfriend.

The 2022 Wimbledon runner-up pleaded guilty in the Australian Capital Territory Magistrates Court to assaulting Chiara Passari during an argument in his hometown of Canberra in January 2021.

In a courtroom in Canberra, Kyrgios pleaded guilty to pushing Passari to the ground two years ago. Magistrate Jane Campbell did not convict the tennis players, in part because the offense was on the low side of gravity for an ordinary assault and was not premeditated.

Campbell described it as an act of “stupidity” and “frustration”.

The court also heard from a psychologist on Friday that Kyrgios suffered from depression, suicidal thoughts and insomnia in the past.

Kyrgios, who used crutches after recent surgery on his left knee, did not speak to reporters as he left court, but issued a statement through a management company.

“I respect today’s ruling and am grateful to the court for dismissing the charges without conviction,” Kyrgios said. “I was not in a good place when this happened and I reacted to a difficult situation in a way that I deeply regret. I know it was not OK and I am truly sorry for the pain I caused.

“Mental health is tough. Life can seem overwhelming. But I’ve found that getting help and working on myself has helped me feel and be better.”

Kyrgios further referred to his mental health issues during his runs to the Wimbledon final and quarter-finals at the US Open last year.

After finishing Daniil Medvedev’s US Open title defense last September to reach the quarterfinals, Kyrgios proudly said he has lifted himself out of “some really tough situations, mentally” and “some really scary places” off the field .

Kyrgios, 27, suffered a career setback last month when he pulled out of the Australian Open due to a knee injury that later required arthroscopic surgery.