at Nick Kyrgios will seek dismissal of his assault charge on mental health grounds. The Australian tennis star and current world no. 20 was represented by his lawyer Michael Kukulies-Smith during a hearing at a court in Canberra this week.
Kyrgios Battled with Depression
Kukulies-Smith asked for the hearing to be adjourned as they prepare Kyrgios’s mental health reports. The 27-year-old is currently competing at the Japan Open in Tokyo where he just won his opening game against Taiwanese player Tseng Chun-hsin.
In Feb 2022, Kyrgios revealed he had dealt with depression, alcohol, and substance abuse over the past few years. The 2019 Australian Open in particular was a dark period in his life during which he self-harmed and had suicidal thoughts.
Kukulies-Smith told the court that Kyrgios will be present during the next scheduled hearing in February 2023.
The Bad Boy of Tennis
Kyrgios, considered the latest “bad boy” of tennis, has been involved in numerous controversies and disgraceful moments in recent years. In March, he was fined $35,000 by the ATP for four individual offenses, including verbal abuse, audible obscenity, and unsportsmanlike conduct during his Miami Open match against Jannik Sinner.
Kyrgios also clashed with a tennis fan during his Wimbledon final match against Novak Djokovic in July 2022.
