Nick Kyrgios sued by Wimbledon spectator thrown out of final after his ‘700 drinks’ comment
- Lawyer who Kyrgios complained about to the umpire brings defamation proceedings against the ‘reckless’ Australian
- Anna Palus was ejected from Centre Court after Kyrgios said during defeat by Novak Djokovic: ‘She’s drunk out of her mind in the first row’
A spectator at the Wimbledon final who Nick Kyrgios accused of looking like she had consumed “about 700 drinks” is taking legal action against the Australian.
He said to the chair umpire between points: “She’s drunk out of her mind in the first row.
“The one who looks like she’s had about 700 drinks talking to me in every single point.”
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Palus has instructed her solicitors, Brett Wilson LLP, to start defamation proceedings against the 27-year-old and she is prepared to take the case to London’s High Court if there is no “prompt resolution” to the matter.
She said in a statement released by the solicitors: “On Sunday 10 July 2022 I attended the final of the Wimbledon tennis championships with my mother.
“It was an event we had been looking forward to for some time. 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’s 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 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.
“The need to obtain vindication, and to prevent a 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.”
