A tennis fan who was ejected from the Wimbledon men’s final after Nick Kyrgios accused her of being drunk has launched legal action against the star player.
Anna Palus, 32, was temporarily removed from Centre Court during the Grand Slam final after Kyrgios accused her of having “700 drinks” in a complaint to the umpire.
The medical lawyer is now suing the Australian player for defamation over the incident, accusing him of making a “reckless and entirely baseless” allegation which went out to millions of viewers around the world.
"On Sunday 10 July 2022 I attended the final of the Wimbledon tennis championships with my mother”, she said in a statement through her lawyers Brett Wilson.
“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.”
Kyrgios’ outburst came in the third set of his final against Novak Djokovic, when he singled out Ms Palus for “distracting me when I’m serving in a Wimbledon final”.
“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?”
When the umpire responded, Kyrgios said: “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.”
In her statement, Ms Palus insists she is “not litigious” but feels she must bring legal action “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”, she said.
“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."
The match, won by Djokovic, was marked by outbursts from Kyrgios, including berating his own coaching team after the loss of the second set.
Ms Palus said after the incident that she had only drunk a glass of Pimms and a rosé wine, and said she was trying to support Kyrgios because he always complained that the crowd is against him.
