Nick Kyrgios has been refused permission to delay his court hearing until November after his legal team argued that the date was best for him as he spends ‘very little time’ in the Australian Capital Territory.
The world No.26 has been accused of ‘common assault’ by his former girlfriend Chiara Passari concerning an incident which allegedly took place in December 2021. In the worst-case scenario, those convicted of such offences can face up to two years in prison in extreme cases.
Kyrgios has been advised by his legal team to not publicly comment on the allegation. Although when questioned about the allegations at Wimbledon, he admitted it has had an impact on him.
“I’m only human,” Kyrgios said in July.
“Obviously I read about it and obviously everyone else was asking questions. It was hard, it was hard to kind of just focus on the mission at hand.
“I have a lot of thoughts, a lot of things I want to say, kind of my side about it … obviously I’ve been advised by my lawyers that I’m unable to say anything at this time.”
On Tuesday morning the case went to the ACT Magistrates Court. Kyrgios, who is currently in America preparing for the US Open, was represented by solicitor Michael Kukulies-Smith. The legal team had submitted a request to delay the court hearing until November 25th due to Kyrgios’ travelling commitments. Although the legal team didn’t go into detail about why such an adjournment was necessary. Previously a six-week adjournment was granted until October 4.
Magistrate Louise Taylor, who oversaw Tuesday’s proceedings, wasn’t impressed by the lack of clarity over why such an extension was needed and refused Kukulies-Smith’s appeal.
“I’m not quite certain what the case for secrecy is,” Taylor told Mr Kukulies-Smith in Canberra.
“Lots of defendants have matters they’d like the court to accommodate,” she added in reference to Kyrgios’ schedule.
Elaborating further the magistrate said she is not prepared to grant an extension on ‘the basis of an application that might be made’. Meanwhile, the prosecution said they are not supportive of the ‘secrecy’ surrounding the application.
It is unclear as to if Kyrgios will attend the court hearing in person. The date of October 4th coincides with events taking place in Tokyo and Astana. Both of which are ATP 500 events.
On the court, Kyrgios has produced some of his best tennis in recent weeks and won his first title in three years at the Citi Open in Washington. Since the start of Wimbledon, he has won 15 out of 18 matches played.