The recent legal case resulted in a monetary award of $9 million for tennis player Kylie McKenzie, who had filed a lawsuit against the United States Tennis Association (USTA) alleging sexual assault by her former coach.
The 25-year-old athlete initiated legal proceedings in March 2022, contending that the USTA had neglected its duty to protect her from sexual assault by her coach, Anibal Aranda, who was an employee of the organization at the time.
McKenzie and her legal counsel also asserted that the USTA had displayed gross negligence by hiring and failing to adequately supervise Coach Aranda, despite being aware of his history of sexual misconduct. She stated that the incident caused her to experience anxiety, panic attacks, and depression, severely impacting her performance both on and off the court.
The court awarded McKenzie $3 million in compensation and an additional $6 million in punitive damages. In response, a USTA spokesperson announced the organization’s intention to appeal the ruling, expressing sympathy for McKenzie while also raising concerns about the potential implications of the decision.
McKenzie’s legal representative, Robert Allard, denounced the USTA’s handling of the case and called for a comprehensive restructuring of leadership within the organization to bring about meaningful change.
Despite the challenges she has faced, McKenzie expressed a sense of validation following the court’s decision and voiced her hope of inspiring other young women to speak out, even in the face of adversity.
The lawsuit outlined numerous instances of inappropriate physical contact, with McKenzie alleging that Aranda had made unwelcome advances and engaged in inappropriate touching during training sessions. An investigation by the US Center for SafeSport revealed that Aranda had similarly engaged in inappropriate behavior towards another employee previously, resulting in his dismissal from the USTA.
This legal case underscores the critical importance of safeguarding athletes from emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, as well as the imperative for institutions to take prompt and decisive action in addressing such concerns.
The ruling serves as a poignant reminder that victims of abuse deserve to be heard and supported, and that institutions bear a responsibility to create safe and secure environments for their athletes.