US Tennis Association Review Recommends Stronger Safeguards Against Abuse, Including Sexual Misconduct

The U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) has recently been under scrutiny for its safeguarding system following a review that offered 19 specific recommendations on how the organization can do more to protect players from abuse, including sexual misconduct. The review, conducted by lawyers Mary Beth Hogan and David O’Neil of Debevoise & Plimpton, highlighted areas where the USTA can strengthen its policies and procedures to ensure player safety.

The 62-page report, presented to the USTA Board of Directors and made public last week, emphasized the importance of preventing misconduct before it occurs and keeping known perpetrators away from USTA facilities and events. The recommendations also included expanding Safe Play training and increasing resources for the USTA’s Safe Play Program.

The review comes on the heels of a high-profile case where a tennis player was awarded $9 million in damages for sexual abuse by a coach at a USTA training center. While the review did not delve into specific incidents, it underscored the need for the USTA to take proactive measures to address abuse allegations and protect its players.

The USTA has expressed its commitment to incorporating the recommendations into its Safe Play Program, signaling a proactive approach to enhancing player safety. With only three employees currently dedicated to overseeing athlete safety, the USTA will need to allocate additional resources to implement the suggested changes effectively.

Moving forward, the USTA’s response to the review and implementation of the recommendations will be closely monitored to ensure that the organization upholds its commitment to safeguarding players from abuse.