A federal court jury in Florida has awarded a former tennis player $9 million in damages after she accused the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) of failing to protect her from sexual abuse by a coach at one of its training centers during her teenage years.
The lawsuit, filed by the player in March 2022, alleged that the coach, who was employed by the USTA for about seven years before being terminated, used his position to sexually abuse vulnerable female athletes, including the plaintiff.
The player, now 25 years old, achieved a career-high ranking of No. 33 in 2016 as a junior player. The lawsuit claimed that the USTA negligently failed to protect her from the abuse and allowed the coach to remain in his position despite prior allegations of misconduct.
The jury awarded the player $3 million in compensation and an additional $6 million in punitive damages. The player expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that she felt validated and hoped to inspire other girls to speak out against abuse.
A spokesperson for the USTA expressed sympathy for the plaintiff and acknowledged the coach's misconduct. However, the USTA plans to appeal the jury's decision, citing concerns about the legal precedent set by holding the organization liable for the actions of its employees.
The USTA stated that it is conducting a review of its safeguarding policies and procedures to prevent future incidents of abuse and improve its response to reports of misconduct. The organization has enlisted legal experts to assess its practices and ensure the safety of athletes under its purview.
The case highlights the importance of safeguarding athletes and holding sports organizations accountable for protecting their members from abuse and misconduct.
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