Complaining to the umpire during Wimbledon’s final in July, the 27-year-old player accused the Polish woman of talking to him during the point, which is forbidden according to the tennis code.
Kyrgios, who is known for his short temper, pointed to Polish spectator Anna Palus and told the umpire: “The one with the dress, the one who looks like she's had about 700 drinks, bro!”
Subsequently the tennis fan got ejected from the arena and, in the aftermath of the event, decided to take the Australian player to court for what she described as “a reckless and entirely baseless allegation.”
In a statement published at the end of August, Palus said: “Mr Kyrgios' 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 I have concluded that I have no alternative but to instruct my solicitors to bring defamation proceedings against Mr Kyrgios in order to clear my name,“ the statement read.
To resolve the case, Kyrgios agreed to issue an apology and make a donation to a charity of the Polish fan’s choosing.
He said in a statement: "I told the umpire that a fan, who I now know to be Anna Palus, was distracting me during the match, believing that she was drunk.”
"I accept that belief was mistaken, and I apologise,” Kyrgios added in the statement.
As part of the settlement, he also donated 20,000 pounds to the Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity.
(pjm)
Source: Reuters