Nick Kyrgios charged with assaulting ex-girlfriend Chiara Passari
Tennis star Nick Kyrgios has been charged by Australian police with assaulting ex-girlfriend Chiara Passari, with whom he split last year in a highly publicised break-up.
Police & Courts
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Tennis star Nick Kyrgios has been accused by Australian police of assaulting his ex-girlfriend Chiara Passari just one day before he is due to play in a Wimbledon quarterfinal.
The 27-year-old, who is in the UK with his new partner Costeen Hatzi and who is scheduled to play Chilean Cristian Garin in the quarterfinal on Wednesday, split with Ms Passari last year in a highly publicised break-up.
Kyrgios, who has been charged with one count of common assault, is due to face a Canberra court in August over the alleged incident in December 2021.
“ACT Policing can confirm a 27-year-old Watson man is scheduled to face the ACT Magistrates Court on August 2 in relation to one charge of common assault following an incident in December 2021,” an ACT Policing spokeswoman said on Tuesday night.
The Canberra Times reported the charge relates to an allegation Kyrgios grabbed Ms Passari.
Barrister Jason Moffett, acting on behalf of Kyrgios, confirmed to that newspaper he had been briefed in the matter.
“It’s in the context of a domestic relationship,” Mr Moffett said.
“The nature of the allegation is serious and Mr Kyrgios takes the allegation very seriously.
“Given the matter is before the court … he doesn’t have a comment at this stage, but in the fullness of time we’ll issue a media release.”
News of the charge comes after Kyrgios had already dominated headlines in the last week in relation to his antics at Wimbledon.
An Aussie moving within reach of the hallowed British grand slam final would usually be enough to trigger an avalanche of green and gold support in his homeland.
But Kyrgios’ behaviour on and off court at the All England Club such as taunting opponents has split opinion.
Aussie Wimbledon champion Pat Cash said: “He’s brought tennis to the lowest level I can see as far as gamesmanship, cheating, manipulation ... aggressive behaviour to umpires, to linesmen.”
Famously fiery tennis great John McEnroe said it was “sad in a way”. “The guy could be unbelievable,” McEnroe said.
But Mark Edmondson, the last Aussie man to win the Australian Open, told The Daily Telegraph: “You don’t just want robots … He’s putting bums on seats, therefore he has to be OK for the game.
“It would be nice if he didn’t do some of the things but you get what you get.
“I think he is bringing a lot of people to the game and not because he’s awful but because he’s exciting.”
Aussie basketball great Andrew Bogut said he hadn’t followed the furore but credited Kyrgios for not toeing the line.
“Nick is himself which I respect greatly,” he said.
Aussie tennis great Wally Masur said: “The thing is, all this is going on, but he’s winning.’
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