A tennis star who went missing after sensationally quitting the sport to become an “underwear model” has not “gone on the run”, according to her lawyer.
Camila Giorgi announced her retirement in May amid rumours that the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) would not be able to retain her for two months.
At the time, speculation was rife about a move to the United States, with some suggesting he had fled his native Italy to evade tax authorities.
The model, who has 730,000 followers on Instagram, was then accused by her embittered ex-landlord of not paying rent and removing “half the furniture” from the villa she was renting in Calenzano, near Florence.
After months of uncertainty about his whereabouts, Giorgi appears to have finally returned to Italy; his lawyer Edmundo Tomaselli claims that he has not “fled” at all. Build Report
Camilla Giorgi, who went missing after sensationally quitting tennis to become an ‘underwear model’, ‘didn’t run away’ according to her lawyer
She announced her retirement in May amid rumours that the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) failed to retain her two months ago.
Two weeks ago, he was assaulted on a Manhattan rooftop while on a trip coinciding with the US Open in New York City.
He said: ‘Camilla Giorgi is in Rome. She has been away for professional reasons in recent months.
«In short, he did not escape at all, as some have claimed.
‘It’s all just words, a desire not to be found, just a personal commitment.
“His fans always followed him through his Instagram page, he was never out of service.”
According to the German publication, his lawyer said he denied the charges against him.
Mail Sport has contacted Mr Tomaselli for comment.
In fact, the 32-year-old has provided fans with a steady stream of photos of Giorgi in striking poses in a variety of outfits.
Two weeks ago, he was assaulted on a Manhattan rooftop while on a trip coinciding with the US Open in New York City.
Giorgi pictured with his partner David Holliner in New York City during the US Open
After months of uncertainty about his whereabouts, Giorgi appears to have finally returned to Italy.
Until seven months ago, the Italian lived north of the city of Florence (pictured above).
Earlier this summer, the former world No. 26 was based in Dallas, Texas, for multiple positions from mid-July to early August.
Prior to that, Giorgi took an 11-month hiatus from the social media platform and his previous post was dated August 22, 2023.
During this time, the former Wimbledon quarter-finalist went through a tumultuous period where she dramatically left the sport to pursue modelling and fashion design before being hit with allegations.
His apparent disappearance from Italy led many to suggest he was fleeing authorities over a tax issue, while others claimed he was on the run from a landlord who claimed he had stolen furniture worth thousands of euros.
According to Italian media La Repubblica, via Corriere della Sera, it included several expensive items, such as carpets and antique tables.
The owner of the villa told the Italian outlet: ‘They didn’t just leave with six months of unpaid rent. But they made half of our furniture disappear.
‘Persian carpets, fine furniture, even an antique table weighing half a tonne. We are talking about losses of between 50 and 100 thousand euros.’
Malik alleged that while they were talking to Giorgi’s father, Sergio, he treated their concerns in a “disrespectful” manner.
The owner of the villa claims to have spoken to Giorgi’s father, Serio (pictured May 2022)
Reports suggest the former Wimbledon quarter-finalist and her family are in tax trouble
“I wrote to him that our items should be returned to us, and he replied disdainfully that they were of very low value,” the owner added.
‘A despicable act, for those like me who have suffered economic but also emotional losses.
‘I don’t know how much is true or how much Camilla owes the State, but I know what she owes us.
“These objects are part of my mother’s life and mine: I want them back, at least to the extent that we lost hope because of the thousands of euros in back rent.”
Neighbours saw the van enter the property and alerted the owner, who arrived at the villa and found the house almost ransacked.
“When I arrived there was no one there and the house was half empty,” they said. “In the garden, however, there were other pieces of furniture and carpets piled on top of each other.
“They probably already had their trucks full and didn’t know where else to put them.”
This summer’s chaos is not the first time the model has felt pressure from the authorities.
The former world No. 26 has also been embroiled in controversy over his vaccination status.
Giorgi is under investigation following allegations he used a fake Covid vaccination certificate to gain entry to the Australian Open in 2022, which he and his father angrily denied.
According to Bild, he faces trial in the case and his lawyer says he is prepared to ask the judge for a summary judgment.
The lawyer added that Giorgi denied the accusations made against him.
It comes after Italian doctor Daniela Grillone, who is under investigation by authorities for allegedly administering fake Covid-19 vaccines to patients, alleged that Giorgi did not receive the vaccine despite attending the second round.
At the time, she said: ‘I did everything the Australian government said. Every year we’re fine with that. Of course I’ve had all the vaccines, yes.’
Giorgi said he received one vaccine from Grillon and completed the rest of his requirements with other doctors.
“The doctor has been investigated (sic) and has had problems with the law several times this year,” Giorgi said.
Giorgi quietly retired from tennis in May before making a public statement.
The 32-year-old batting great has developed a parallel career as a social media influencer
‘I just got all my shots in different places. So the problem is theirs. No. So I’m very good with that.’
Giorgi won four titles on the WTA Tour and reached the quarter-finals of Wimbledon in 2018, achieving a career-high ranking of No. 26 in the world that year.
She has earned a reputation as one of the hardest hitters in women’s football, but off the pitch she has also garnered attention for her modelling career and social media presence.
2024-09-18 21:24:11