A fan accused of being ‘’drunk out of her mind’’ by Australian tennis player, Nick Kyrgios during the Wimbledon final is taking legal action against him.
Anna Palus has now instructed solicitors to bring defamation proceedings against Kyrgios who she accuses of a “reckless and entirely baseless allegation”.
“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,” Palus said in a statement from solicitors Brett Wilson LLP.
During the match Kyrgios said: “She is distracting me when I am serving in a Wimbledon final… she is drunk out of her mind in the first row speaking to me in the middle of the game, so kick her out… I know which one she is, it’s the one who looks like she has had about 700 drinks… she is talking to me in the middle of the point every time I get the ball.”
Kyrgios, who lost the final to Novak Djokovic in July, said the woman looked “like she has had about 700 drinks” as he complained to the umpire about her.
Palus, who attended the final with her mother, added: “I am not litigious, but after much consideration I have concluded that I have no alternative but to instruct my solicitors to bring defamation proceedings against Mr Kyrgios in order to clear my name.
“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.
“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.”
Renowned for his on-court antics and outbursts, Kyrgios has enjoyed the best run of his career this summer that saw him in his first Wimbledon final and winning the Citi Open but he has also been embroiled in legal battles in the law court facing allegations he assaulted ex-girlfriend and model Chiara Passari and now Anna Palus.