CNN
—
Lawyers for a Wimbledon spectator accused by Nick Kyrgios of being “drunk in spirit”, have issued the tennis star’s apology and say their client’s complaint has been resolved.
“On July 10, 2022, during the Wimbledon men’s final, I told the referee that a fan, who I now know to be Anna Palus, was distracting me during the match, believing she was drunk,” said Kyrgios said in a statement released by Knights Temple Law and sent to CNN.
“I accept that this belief was wrong and I apologize. To make amends I have donated £20,000 (approximately $22,000) to the Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity, a charity chosen by Ms Palus I will not comment on this matter any further.”
Great Ormond Street Hospital is a specialist pediatric hospital in London, which mainly cares for children referred by other hospitals in the UK and overseas, and undertakes research into childhood illnesses.
Kyrgios, who was eventually beaten by Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final that day, had been angry during the contest after saying there was noise in the crowd.
He expressed his anger to the chair umpire at the time, demanding that the fan be kicked out of the stadium for constantly talking to him during a match.
“She’s completely drunk, so kick her out,” he said.
When asked by the referee which supporter it was, Kyrgios gestured towards the stands and said: “The one who looks like she’s had about 700 drinks.”
Palus says she was temporarily removed from the arena as a result.
She filed a lawsuit in August, saying Kyrgios’ allegation caused her and her family “substantial harm and distress,” via a statement from her lawyers sent to CNN.
With the case now settled, attorneys for Palus told CNN she would not comment further.
