After more than two years of trial and investigation, Kelly McKenzie's case against her coach for sexual assault and assault and the inaction of the American Tennis Association has finally come to a conclusion.
Recently, the U.S. court finally pronounced a verdict on this case, and the jury finally ruled that Mackenzie should receive $3 million in damages and $6 million in punitive damages, totaling $9 million (about 64 million yuan) in punitive damages.
The victory came too hard for 25-year-old Kelly McKenzie, who bravely stood up and took the USA Tennis Association to court in March 2022 for failing to protect her from sexual assault and assault by former coach Aníbal Aranda, a case that shocked the sports world at the time.
The nightmare began when she chose the coach, and for a young tennis player with great potential, who dreamed of becoming a top player, was sexually assaulted and physically violent. That's exactly what Kelly McKenzie went through. The U.S. Tennis Association and its player development company are defendants in her lawsuit because they hired Aranda without properly supervising his actions. Mackenzie's team of lawyers accused them of negligence, arguing that they had shown "conscious disregard or indifference" to Mackenzie's safety and rights.
At the 2022 press conference, Mackenzie's voice revealed deep pain. She said Aranda's behaviour had affected her performance on the pitch, with anxiety, panic and depression ensuing. "My confidence and self-esteem are gone, both on and off the court," she said, with a tremor in her voice.
Justice was long overdue, but fortunately it was not absent. The jury ultimately ruled that Mackenzie should be awarded $3 million in damages and $6 million in punitive damages, for a total of $9 million. This is a reparation for her suffering and a punishment for the organization's failure to fulfil its duty to protect.
Chris Wiedmeier, a spokesman for the company, said the group would appeal the decision and claimed they were "sympathetic" about what happened to McKenzie. Their reasoning seems somewhat flimsy, arguing that the court's ruling sets a new, unreasonable expectation for victims, which may discourage future victims from coming forward.
Mackenzie's lawyer, Robert Aradd, criticized the way they handled them, arguing that they "just don't get it." He stressed that to achieve real change, a radical overhaul of leadership is needed. He firmly stated that he would make this incident a benchmark and would never cause any waves.
In a statement to CNN, McKenzie said she was very pleased with the outcome and felt she was recognized. "It's been hard work, but now I feel like it's all worth it," she said. I hope I can be a role model for other girls and speak up even when it's difficult. ”
Mackenzie's bravery and persistence have earned her own justice and set an example for all athletes who have suffered similar experiences. Regardless of the field in which vulnerable groups are violated, they must have the courage to speak out to defend their rights.
The case of Kelly Mackenzie is a profound reminder to the entire sports world. It tells us that no organization or individual can shirk its responsibility to protect the safety and rights of others.