A jury has ruled in favor of tennis player Kylie McKenzie, awarding her $9 million in damages in a sexual assault case against the United States Tennis Association (USTA). McKenzie, a 25-year-old American tennis player, filed her lawsuit in March 2022, alleging that her former coach, Anibal Aranda, sexually assaulted her while employed by the USTA.

McKenzie’s lawsuit accused the USTA of gross negligence for failing to properly supervise Coach Aranda, despite his known history of sexual predation. In a press conference, McKenzie revealed the emotional toll the incident had taken, including anxiety, panic attacks, and depression, affecting her confidence both on and off the court.

The jury’s decision awarded McKenzie $3 million in compensation and $6 million in punitive damages. However, the USTA has stated its intention to appeal the ruling, citing concerns over setting unreasonable expectations for victims to report incidents.

Aranda denied the allegations, but an investigation by the US Center for SafeSport revealed a pattern of inappropriate behavior, including groping another employee in 2015. Despite this, the incident was not reported, and Aranda was only fired after McKenzie’s allegations came to light.

McKenzie’s attorney criticized the USTA’s response, calling for a complete overhaul of leadership to effect real change within the organization. McKenzie, meanwhile, expressed her satisfaction with the outcome, hoping her case would inspire other victims to speak out against abuse.

McKenzie, once seen as a rising star in US tennis, moved to the USTA’s facility in Orlando at 19, where she began training under Aranda. The lawsuit detailed instances of Aranda’s inappropriate behavior, including unwanted physical contact and remarks about McKenzie’s appearance.

The verdict marks a significant development in the fight against sexual misconduct in sports, underscoring the need for accountability and measures to protect athletes from abuse.