Nick Kyrgios sued by Wimbledon’s ‘700 drinks’ woman

A Melbourne barrister explains how the scales could tip in favour of Anna Palus, who is suing Nick Kyrgios for defamation after being thrown out of Wimbledon.

A Melbourne barrister has weighed in on the potential outcome of a defamation case that could be brought against Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios.

The woman thrown out of Wimbledon after Kyrgios claimed she had “700 drinks” announced she would sue the Australian tennis star for defamation.

Anna Palus, 32, said in a statement to News Corp Australia that she would “clear her name” after Kyrgios alleged she had 698 drinks more than the two she had during the men’s final in July.

“During the course of the final, Nick Kyrgios made a reckless and entirely baseless allegation against me,” she said in a statement.

“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.”

Nick Kyrgios reacts during The Final of the Gentlemen's Singles against Novak Djokovic. Picture: Getty

Kyrgios said during his defeat to Novak Djokovic that Ms Palus was distracting him when serving.

“There’s no other bigger occasion, you didn’t believe me and then she did it again. It nearly cost me the game,” he told the umpire.

“Why is she still here? She’s drunk out of her mind and speaking to me in the middle of a game. What’s acceptable?

“Ok kick her out. I know exactly which one it is. The one in the dress, who looks like she’s had about 700 drinks bro.”

Melbourne barrister Matt Collins QC has weighed in, saying Ms Palus could win the case.

“Put yourself in her position, right, you‘re in the stadium at Wimbledon, and assume she hadn’t had 700 drinks ... and then she is singled out before a global audience by one of the players in the men’s final,” he told 3AW.

“It‘s not really the fact she is said to have had 700 drinks, what’s really said is well you’re paralytically drunk and you’re disrupting the men’s final at Wimbledon.

“From her perspective you can understand why that had a very serious impact upon her feelings and probably her reputation.”

Mr Collins said Ms Palus would need to prove the comments damaged her reputation.

“So it would be enough to show that she has been piled on social media ... or that people stop her on the street and abuse her,” he said.

“That would be enough to establish it ... I don‘t think she would have too much difficulty showing that.

“If she could show that she lost her job because the employer saw it and said she is not the sort of person I want in the firm, then she could potentially sue for loss of earnings as well.”

Nick Kyrgios of Australia reacts during a changeover against Novak Djokovic. Picture: Getty

Ms Palus said later she had only drunk a Pimm’s and a glass of rose while trying to support Kyrgios.

“I am not litigious, but after much consideration, I have concluded that that 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,” her statement said.

“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.”