Lawyers for Aussie firebrand Nick Kyrgios have asked for an assault charge against him be dismissed on mental health grounds.
The assault charge relates to an incident in January last year between Kyrgios and former girlfriend Chiara Passari.
Lawyer Michael Kukulies-Smith told the magistrates court in Canberra the tennis player’s mental health history since 2015 made the application appropriate.
He cited a number of public statements made by the world No.20 to sup[port his claim.
In February, Kyrgios talked about self-harm and suicidal thoughts that dated back to 2019.
“I was lonely, depressed, negative, abusing alcohol, drugs, pushed away family and friends,’ he wrote on Instagram.
“I felt as if I couldn’t talk or trust anyone. This was a result of not opening up and refusing to lean on my loved ones and simply just push myself little by little to be positive.”
Kyrgios’ legal team asked for an adjournment so forensic mental health reports could be prepared.
They will then apply to have the matter dismissed under a section of the local crimes act at a hearing in February next year.
