She likely didn’t have “700 drinks.”
Tennis fan and Polish lawyer Ania Palus is suing Nick Kyrgios for defamation after she claims the tennis star’s Wimbledon finals outburst caused her “considerable harm.” During the third set of Kyrgios’ loss to Novak Djokovic, the Australian claimed that Palus was distracting him during his serve.
“Why is she still here?” Kyrgios complained to the umpire. “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.”
Ania Palus, 32, says she’d only had two drinks at Wimbledon. News Licensing / MEGA
Ania Palus during the Wimbledon final News Licensing / MEGAPalus was escorted out of the stadium, but was allowed to return 15 minutes later after having some water. She later said she had only had drunk a Pimms and a glass of Rose.
“I wanted to give him support. Maybe I took it too far… but I only had good intentions,” she said. “It’s the temperature for me, I had no hat. I’m really sorry.”
However, Palus is now hoping to make Kyrgios sorry.
“It was an event we had been looking forward to for some time,” said Palus, who was in attendance at the tennis Grand Slam with her mother.
“During the course of the final, Nick Kyrgios made a reckless and entirely baseless allegation against me.
“Not only did this cause considerable harm on the day, resulting in my temporary removal from the arena, but Mr Kyrgios’ false allegation was broadcast to, and read by, millions around the world, causing me and my family very substantial damage and distress. 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.
Nck Kyrgios during the Washington tennis tournament AP“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.”
Palus’ lawsuit is not the only legal issue Kyrgios is dealing with. Kyrgios is facing assault charges in Australia over accusations from ex-girlfriend Chiara Passari. Kyrgios’ lawyer pushed for a three-month adjournment of the case, but was denied by a judge at a hearing on Monday. Kyrgios is now due in an Australian court on Oct. 4 for the matter.
