Anna Palus, a spectator during the men’s singles final match of Wimbledon 2022, who was accused of being drunk and distracting by finalist Nick Kyrgios, is taking legal action against the Australian tennis star.
The 32-year-old Polish tennis fan is suing Kyrgios for levelling “a reckless and entirely baseless allegation” against her which led to her temporary removal from the Centre Court during the Wimbledon Grand Slam final.
Kyrgios, who went on to lose the final to Novak Djokovic, told the umpire, Renaud Lichtenstein, on July 10 that the fan is distracting him during his serve.
“Why’s she still here? She’s drunk out of her mind … speaking to me in the middle of the game, what’s acceptable,” Kyrgios told the umpire and then pointed out Anna Palus in the crowd.
“I know exactly which one it is, it’s the one with the dress, the one who looks like she’s had about 700 drinks, bro,” the Australian tennis player said when umpire Lichtenstein said he did not know who Kyrgios was referring to.
Palus on Tuesday said she had “no alternative” but to instruct her lawyers to bring defamation proceedings to clear her name.
“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,” Anna Palus’s official legal statement stated.
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