The jury’s decision favored Kylie McKenzie, awarding her $3 million for compensation and an additional $6 million for punitive damages.
The world of tennis saw controversy as the US Tennis Association was compelled to pay a $9 million fine in damages to 25-year-old Kylie McKenzie in a se*ual abuse lawsuit she filed in 2022.
For more context, the former under-16 National Champion had accused a USTA-hired coach, Anibal Aranda, of inappropriately touching her during her teenage years (allegedly she was 19 and he was 34 at the time). Although the coach had denied the allegations, the USTA still fired him. The American sued the USTA, claiming that the organization should have protected her from abuse.
The USTA had revealed that they were not aware of the coach’s behavior and thus fired him with immediate effect. Despite being sympathetic to McKenzie, the USTA is set to appeal the court verdict. At the start of the month, McKenzie took part in a week-long trial. The jury’s decision favored McKenzie, awarding her $3 million for compensation and an additional $6 million for punitive damages.
Kylie McKenzie in the center (Via Imago)
I feel validated. It was very hard, but I feel now that it was all worth it. I hope I can be an example for other girls to speak out, even when it’s hard.said Kylie McKenzie via Athletic
After the trial, the youngster revealed that the fight was worth it and hoped that this would help the other girls to speak up when it’s difficult.
USTA reviews the appeal and is set to appeal the court’s verdict
The US Tennis Association has received huge backlash after they were forced to pay a hefty fine of 9 million dollars to American Kylie McKenzie over the se*ual assault case. Though the organization is sympathetic, its spokesman Chris Widmaier revealed that they would appeal.
We are sympathetic to the plaintiff and what she endured. We do not–and have never disputed her allegations against a coach.Chris Widmaier said
The case is a step forward to all the women, who have been scared to open up about such issues. However, this case isn’t isolated, and many such cases have come to notice.
Right before the McKenzie case, a French tennis player Fiona Ferro had accused their coach of r*pe and se*ual assault. While the case was against her, the Frenchwoman stood by her words and strongly stated to not have given any consent to the coach.
