Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios asked the umpire to eject Anna Palus from Centre Court during the last Wimbledon final, during which he was playing the Serbian Novak Djokovic. 

Anna Palus, 27,  was given a code violation for swearing after a spectator called out before a second serve, and Kyrgios then asked the French umpire Renaud Lichtenstein to have the woman „who looks like she’s had about 700 drinks” ejected.

https://twitter.com/FootyNBoxing/status/1562039723660656643?s=20&t=bPU4j3Nc5f2tAj5rA3stjA

The young woman was briefly removed from the court and later said she had only had two drinks. She has now decided to take legal action against Kyrgios to “clear her name”.

„During the course of the final, Nick Kyrgios made a reckless and entirely baseless allegation against me […] Mr Kyrgios’ false allegation was broadcast to […] millions around the world, causing my family and me very substantial damage and distress […] I have concluded that I have no alternative but to instruct my solicitors […] to bring defamation proceedings […] to clear my name,” – she said in a statement. 

„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 […] I hope that Mr Kyrgios will reflect on the harm he has caused my family and me and offer a prompt resolution to this matter,” – she added.  

At the moment of writing, world number 26 did not react to the Polish woman’s decision. 

Image: YouTube (Prospects and Stars/Screenshot)

Author: Sébastien Meuwisen