Nick Kyrgios’ ex-girlfriend has broken her silence after he was charged with assaulting her – while the tennis star’s brother has slammed the ‘haters and liars’ who ‘always try and bring him down’.
On Tuesday, it was announced that Kyrgios will appear before the ACT Magistrates Court on August 2 after he assaulted his model ex-girlfriend Chiara Passari last year.
Initial reports stated the charge came after Kyrgios allegedly grabbed Ms Passari in December 2021.
However, ACT Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that the alleged incident was only reported in December. It is said to have occurred months earlier.
Now, Ms Passari, 23, has spoken for the first time since the allegations emerged, taking to Instagram to say she had reported the alleged assault to the police in December.
The model, who was allegedly pushed by Kyrgios, also insisted she had nothing to do with the charges only emerging this week as Kyrgios prepared for the Wimbledon quarter-final.
In response to an Instagram comment that defended her, Ms Passari wrote: ‘Thank you. Finally someone smart enough to understand how the justice system works.’
Meanwhile, Kyrgios’ elder brother, Christos, has taken to Instagram to defend him.
“Haters and liars will always try to bring us down – we keep it 100 and push forward,” he said.
Chiara Passari, 23, has spoken for the first time since the allegations emerged to tell the Daily Telegraph that she reported the alleged assault to police in December
Christos Kyrgios has defended his bad boy tennis ace brother after he was charged with domestic assault
The tennis ace, who will play Chile’s Cristian Garin on Wednesday for a spot in the Wimbledon semi-final, appeared calm as he appeared at a practice shortly after the allegations emerged
‘This is why I play. To all my youngsters out there, believe in yourself,’ he captioned a photo of an adoring young fan at Wimbledon, shortly after the allegations came to light. His brother made his comment in reply to the post
Christos, who is a regular in the players’ box when his brother plays, made the comment on an Instagram post from Kyrgios, where he urged his 2.3 million followers to ‘believe in themselves’.
‘This is why I play. To all my youngsters out there, believe in yourself,’ he wrote, alongside a photo captured of an adoring young fan at Wimbledon.
His current girlfriend, 21-year-old Costeen Hatzi, left a series of emojis in the comment section which Kyrgios responded to with a single love-heart.
The tennis ace, who will play Chile’s Cristian Garin on Wednesday at 11pm (AEST) for a spot in the Wimbledon semi-finals, appeared calm as he appeared at a practice shortly after the allegations emerged.
Kyrgios told waiting reporters he ‘felt like he was in The Last Dance’ – referring to the 2020 documentary about basketball legend Michael Jordan.
The tennis star’s quarter-final clash against at Wimbledon after a string of controversial matches.
‘ACT Policing can confirm a 27-year-old Watson man is scheduled to face the ACT Magistrates Court on the 2nd of August in relation to one charge of common assault following an incident in December 2021,’ police said on Tuesday afternoon.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison.
Kyrgios’s barrister Jason Moffett, from Key Chambers, told The Canberra Times his client was aware of the allegations, which were ‘in the context of a domestic relationship’.
In response to an Instagram comment that defended her, Ms Passari wrote: ‘Thank you. Finally someone smart enough to understand how the justice system works’
Kyrgios’ battle against Stefanos Tsitsipas was undoubtedly the most talked-about match of the tournament so far (pictured, Kyrgios arrives at the Wimbledon practice courts with his manager Daniel Horsfall on Tuesday)
The Australian looks on from the practice courts shortly after news broke that he will need to face court next month
‘The nature of the allegation is serious, and Mr Kyrgios takes the allegation very seriously,’ he added.
‘Given the matter is before the court… he doesn’t have a comment at this stage, but in the fullness of time we’ll issue a media release.’
Late on Tuesday night, Kyrgios’ legal team released a statement denying the tennis star had been charged.
‘At the present time, the allegations are not considered as fact by the Court, and Mr Kyrgios is not considered charged with an offense until the First Appearance,’ the statement said.
‘It may be misleading to the public to describe the Summons in any other manner than a formal direction to appear to face allegations, the precise nature of which is neither certain at this moment nor confirmed by either the Prosecution or Mr Kyrgios.’
The Australian tennis star, 27, who is currently preparing for a quarterfinal clash at Wimbledon, is accused of assaulting model Chiara Passari (pictured together) and will face court next month
Nick Kyrgios takes a break during practice ahead of his quarter-final match at Wimbledon, just an hour after the allegations came to light
Kyrgios, known largely to his supporters as a lovable rogue, is being fueled by his critics in a bid to achieve his best grand slam result at Wimbledon.
He struggled with a shoulder problem but recovered from a set down and then clinched the decider against 20-year-old American Brandon Nakashima on Monday, winning 4-6 6-4 7-6 (2) 3-6 6-2 to set up a quarter-final with Chile’s Garin.
Kyrgios’ battle against Stefanos Tsitsipas was the most talked-about match of the tournament so far, and he received plenty of criticism for his on-court behavior.
‘Honestly, I don’t care,’ said Kyrgios. ‘I just smile. It’s so funny. I joke around with my team about it so much. It’s hilarious.
‘I almost just wake up and read things, and I just laugh. And I never forget things people say, whether it was three, four years ago, things that just stick with me.
‘I have a massive chip on my shoulder. I sit here now in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon again, and I just know there’s so many people who are so upset.’
Kyrgios was fined $10,000 after his first-round match for spitting towards a fan, was warned for swearing on Saturday and then called for Tsitsipas to be defaulted after the Greek hit a ball close to a spectator’s head after losing the second set.
Both players received fines on Sunday.