BBC axe tennis bad boy Nick Kyrgios from Wimbledon coverage after backlash following his assault of ex-girlfriend

Nick Kyrgios has reportedly been dropped from the BBC’s coverage of Wimbledon this year, despite the Australian appearing as a pundit on last summer’s Championships.

It comes after the broadcaster copped backlash after including the 30-year-old tennis player on its coverage of the 2024 tournament last year, 12 months after Kyrgios had admitted to assaulting his former girlfriend Chiara Passari.

The Telegraph now claims that the BBC have opted to drop the Australian, former Wimbledon runner-up from its coverage.

The outlet adds that he will not appear on ESPN’s American coverage of the event. He had joined up to work for the broadcaster at the Australian Open in January following his first round exit by Jacob Fearnley. The seven-time winner on the ATP Tour had worked for ESPN for their Australian Open coverage back in 2024 also. 

Sources state that Kyrgios had planned to enter the tournament, unlike last year, despite now having withdrawn from the event. 

Kyrgios has been hampered by injuries over the past two years and a fresh injury setback at the start of June saw him explain to fans on social media that he would no longer be able to participate in the grass season. 

‘I’ve hit a small setback in my recovery and unfortunately won’t make it back for grass season this year,’ Kyrgios posted on social media.

‘I know how much you’ve all been looking forward to seeing me out there, and I’m genuinely sorry to disappoint. This is just a bump in the road though, and I’m already working hard to get back stronger than ever.’

The 30-year-old has battled back from foot, knee and wrist injuries over the past two years, but his withdrawal means he will extend his absence at the Grand Slam for the third year on the bounce.

Kyrgios had appeared to make a comeback on the ATP Tour at the end of last year, having overcome undergoing surgery on a wrist-ligament injury.

But the issue, among several other problems have plagued Kyrgios over the past seven months.

An abdominal strain suffered in January threatened to derail his Australian Open comeback before Kyrgios went on to suffer defeat in the first round by Jacob Fearnley.

He has since struggled to play, citing rustiness in his wrist, making just four appearances so far this season, while winning just one match against Mackenzie McDonald at the ATP Masters in Miami in March.

More to follow…