The BBC has dropped controversial Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios from its team covering Wimbledon.

The UK broadcaster faced a backlash from MPs, public figures and fans when it hired the former grand slam runner-up as a commentator in 2024, a year after he had admitted to assaulting former girlfriend Chiara Passari. 

The news that he would not be invited back was broken by Britain’s Telegraph Sport, which reported Kyrgios would not be part of the team announced for Wimbledon 2025.

The Telegraph said it had been told Kyrgios would also not appear on ESPN’s coverage of the June 30-July 13 tournament. He previously worked for the American sports channel at the Australian Open. 

Kyrgios pleaded guilty to shoving Passari in a late-night incident in 2021, but the assault charge was dismissed by a Canberra magistrate when he faced court in 2023. He later issued a public apology.

At the time the BBC hired him, it said it did not condone Kyrgios’s “cited previous actions or behaviours, on and off the court”, adding “he is employed to share his views on tennis only”.

Nonetheless, British MP Caroline Nokes – chair of the British parliament’s women and equalities committee – labelled the appointment a disgrace, saying it showed “the utter contempt our national broadcaster has towards women”.

Women’s Aid spokesperson Teresa Parker was also shocked by the hiring, noting that Kyrgios had been publicly called out “for supporting the social media content of a well-known misogynist, [Andrew Tate] who has himself been arrested on violence against women charges”. 

Kyrgios hasn’t played at Wimbledon since losing the final to Novak Djokovic in 2022. He had hoped to return this year, but it was revealed last week that he would be absent once again after another injury setback.

“Just wanted to give everyone a quick update – l’ve hit a small setback in my recovery and unfortunately won’t make it back for grass season this year,” he wrote on Instagram. 

“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.” 

A fresh knee injury also forced Kyrgios to abandon his planned return to action at the French Open, where he was going to play in the doubles tournament with Jordan Thompson.