Camila Giorgi and her family have reportedly fled Italy because authorities are keen to question the tennis star over gaps in her tax returns. News broke earlier this week that Giorgi had quietly retired from the sport, even though it hadn’t been announced by the Italian.
Giorgi’s retirement from tennis was revealed on Wednesday after she was listed as such on the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s website. It came as a surprise to tennis fans, given the 32-year-old had kept silent around the matter and is still yet to release a statement.
However, reports suggest the reason behind Giorgi’s sudden retirement may have been caused by a run-in with the financial authorities in Italy. La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Giorgi has fled to the United States, with the Macerata-born star wanted by Italy’s financial police.
She is said to have departed Italy alongside four members of her family; dad Sergio, mum Claudio and brothers Leandro and Amadeus.
It’s also suggested that Giorgi has cut contact with the WTA, the Italian Tennis Federation and fellow competitors. Compatriot Tathiana Garbin revealed recently: “The last time we spoke was before the Billie Jean King Cup and he did not give me availability to come to Seville with the team due to a foot problem.
“I hope that she is well, that there are no problems and that she has peacefully left this sport that has given her so much. I’m sorry because I can’t hear you, I’m a bit worried.”
Giorgi is no stranger to controversy though, given she’s due to appear in front of a judge in July over an investigation into fake Covid-19 vaccines. It was claimed back in 2022 that the WTA star used a doctored Covid-19 passport to gain entry to the Australian Open.
It came after Italian doctor Daniela Grillone alleged Giorgi hadn’t received her Covid-19 jab, which would’ve made her ineligible to take part in the Australian Open. Speaking at the time, she said: “I did everything what they ask, the Australian government. Each year we are fine with that. Of course. I did all vaccination, yes.”
It’s almost two months since Giorgi played a competitive match, having lost to Iga Swiatek in her last outing at the Miami Open in March.
