BBC release statement on Nick Kyrgios after backlash over Wimbledon job
The BBC have defended themselves after being told they had shown "utter contempt" towards women by hiring Nick Kyrgios to cover Wimbledon.
Kyrgios was the runner-up in the men's singles at Wimbledon in 2022 but is not competing this year as he recovers from injury. But the Australian is still at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, working as a pundit for the BBC, who have followed in Eurosport and the Tennis Channel's lead by hiring him. He was on BBC One for Carlos Alcaraz's straight-sets win over Mark Lajal on Monday afternoon.
The 29-year-old is known for his hot head on the court and has made headlines for a variety of reasons during his career. He also pled guilty to assaulting his ex-girlfriend Chiara Passari in Canberra in 2021 - a fact which has seen the BBC criticised in recent days, with the organisation confirming they had received complaints from viewers.
“The BBC should hang its head in shame at this appointment,” said Caroline Nokes, the Conservative MP and women and equalities committee chair. “It’s a disgrace and shows the utter contempt our national broadcaster has towards women.
"Not content with consistently underpaying their own female staff and forcing out women once they hit a certain age, they now bring a man who admitted assaulting a woman on board for Wimbledon.”
Kyrgios avoided a criminal conviction over the incident, which saw him push his former girlfriend to the ground during an argument in January 2021. The common assault was described as an act of 'stupidity' and 'frustration' but was not premeditated and the BBC say it shouldn't prevent him working on their coverage.
“As a current and high profile player, Nick Kyrgios will provide insight and analysis of the action on the court from his experience in the game,” the BBC said in a statement. “We are in no way condoning his cited previous actions or behaviours, on and off the court, and he is employed to share his views on tennis only. He has provided similar services to other major sports broadcasters in recent months. The legal process he was involved in has concluded, is well documented, and he has spoken about it publicly.”
Nick Kyrgios
Kyrgios reached No.13 in the world rankings at the height of his career and made it to the Wimbledon final in 2022. But he has struggled with injuries in recent years, with a torn ligament in his wrist last summer having knock-on effects.
He has therefore taken a step into punditry, working on the Tennis Channel’s coverage of the ATP Finals and Eurosport's broadcast of the Australian Open back in January.
After Sue Barker's retirement, the BBC's coverage of Wimbledon is led by presenters Qasa Alom, Clare Balding and Isa Guha. Their pundits include John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King and Pat Cash, Tim Henman, Tracy Austin, Annabel Croft and Johanna Konta.