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Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has admitted assaulting an ex-girlfriend but avoided a criminal conviction.

The 27-year-old's guilty plea in a Canberra court came after his lawyers failed to have the charge dismissed on mental health grounds.

Mr Kyrgios pushed Chiara Passari onto the pavement during a row in Canberra in 2021, the court heard.

The magistrate called the incident "a single act of stupidity or frustration" when sparing him a criminal record.

Mr Kyrgios released a statement after the ruling saying he was grateful to the court for dismissing the charges without conviction.

"I was not in good place when this happened and I reacted to a difficult situation in a way I deeply regret," he said.

Newshour's James Menendez has been hearing more about the case from Eleanor Crooks, tennis correspondent for the Press Association. He began by asking her about when the accusations first surfaced.

Photo shows: Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios leaves the magistrate's court in Canberra on February 3, 2023. Credit: Getty Images

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