Nick Kyrgios denied adjournment over assault case just days before US Open campaign

Nick Kyrgios has been denied adjournment of his assault case just days before he is set to begin his campaign to win the US Open.

The Australian is renowned for his on-court antics and outbursts as well as his press conferences as much as he is known for his sensational shot-making ability. Off the court, Kyrgios is set to fight allegations he assaulted ex-girlfriend and model Chiara Passari. Passari reportedly brought the issue to police in December 2021 after it allegedly occurred in January of that year.

Kyrgios did not appear at the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning, where his solicitor Michael Kukulies-Smith asked the matter be postponed until November 25. The basis of the request was the fact that the 27-year-old spends little time in the territory and that an application was planned.

However, Magistrate Louise Taylor rejected the request and was frustrated by the lawyer's unwillingness to truly explain why a delay was necessary. Taylor admitted she does not understand the ‘case for secrecy’ as she rejected Kyrgios’ request for a three-month adjournment in his assault case.

“I'm not quite certain what the case for secrecy is,” Taylor told Kukulies-Smith in Canberra when referring to Kyrgios’ schedule. “Lots of defendants have matters they'd like the court to accommodate.”

The magistrate added she was not going to grant a three-month adjournment on ‘the basis of an application that might be made’.

Nick Kyrgios' request to adjourn his assault case by three months has been rejected (PA)

Do you think Nick Kyrgios will win the US Open? Let us know in the comments section.

Kukulies-Smith conceded to the court that the request was an ‘indulgence’ but refused to go into details concerning the nature of the planned application. He claimed the ‘large contingent of media’ present in the courtroom as the reason to avoid pressing further.

An ACT Policing spokesperson said Kyrgios was charged with common assault in July, and the tennis star is believed to still be in the United States ahead of the US Open, the fourth and final Grand Slam of the season. The case has been adjourned until October 4.