A tennis star who disappeared after sensationally quitting the sport to become a “lingerie model” did not “run away”, according to her lawyer.
Camila Giorgi announced her retirement in May amid rumours that the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) had been unable to contact her for two months.
At the time, there was rife speculation about an alleged move to the United States, with some suggesting he had fled his native Italy in an attempt to evade tax authorities.
The model, who has 730,000 followers on Instagram, was then accused of failing to pay rent and removing “half the furniture” from a rented villa in Calenzano, near Florence, by its aggrieved former landlord.
After months of uncertainty over her whereabouts, Giorgi appears to have finally returned to Italy, with her lawyer Edmondo Tomaselli claiming she did not run away at all. Image information.
Camila Giorgi, who disappeared after sensationally leaving tennis to become a ‘lingerie model’, did not ‘run away’, according to her lawyer
She announced her retirement in May amid rumours that the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) had been unable to contact her for two months prior.
Two weeks ago, she was photographed on a Manhattan rooftop on a trip that coincided with the US Open in New York City.
He said: ‘Camila Giorgi is in Rome. In recent months she has been away for professional reasons.
In short, he has not escaped at all, as some have claimed.
‘It’s all just talk, there is no desire not to be found, just personal commitments.
‘Her fans have always followed her through her Instagram page, she has never been unavailable.’
According to the German publication, her lawyer says she denies the accusations against her.
Mr Tomaselli told Mail Sport that Giorgi also denies the allegations made by his former owner.
In fact, fans of the 32-year-old have been treated to a steady stream of photographs of Giorgi posing in a variety of outfits.
Two weeks ago, she was photographed on a rooftop in Manhattan during a trip that coincided with the US Open in New York City.
Giorgi pictured with his partner David Holiner in New York City during the US Open
After months of uncertainty about his whereabouts, Giorgi appears to have finally returned to Italy
The Italian lived north of the city of Florence (photo above) until seven months ago.
Earlier this summer, a series of posts from mid-July to early August placed the former world number 26 in Dallas, Texas.
Prior to that, Giorgi had been on 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 in which she dramatically left the sport to pursue modelling and fashion design before falling victim to a litany of accusations.
His apparent disappearance from Italy led many to suggest he was fleeing authorities over a tax problem, while others claimed he was escaping a landlord who said he had stolen furniture worth tens of thousands of euros.
According to Italian newspaper La Repubblica, via Corriere della Serra, this included a number of expensive items, including antique carpets and tables.
“Not only did they leave without saying anything with six months of unpaid rent,” the villa’s owner told the Italian outlet. “But they made half of our furniture disappear.”
‘Persian carpets, luxury furniture, even an antique table weighing half a tonne. We are talking about damages ranging from 50 to 100 thousand euros.’
The owner claims they were in talks with Giorgi’s father Sergio, adding that he had treated their concerns “with contempt”.
The owner of the villa claims to have spoken to Giorgi’s father, Serio (pictured, May 2022)
Reports have suggested that the former Wimbledon quarter-finalist and her family are having problems with taxes.
“I wrote to him that they should at least return our things to us, but he responded in a disdainful manner, saying that they were objects of little value,” the owner added.
‘A hateful behavior for those of us who, like me, have suffered economic but also emotional damage.
‘I can’t know how much is true or how much Camila owes the State, but I do know what she owes us.
‘These objects are part of my mother’s life and mine: I want to get them back, at least to that extent, since we have lost hope due to the thousands and thousands of euros in back rent.’
Neighbors reportedly saw moving trucks on the property and alerted the owner, who arrived at the villa to find the house had been virtually ransacked.
“When I arrived there was no one left and the house was half empty,” they continue. “In the garden, however, there were other pieces of furniture and carpets piled on top of each other.
“They had probably already filled the trucks and didn’t know where to put them.”
This summer’s chaos was not the first time the model felt pressure from authorities.
The former world number 26 has also been embroiled in a controversy over her vaccination status.
Giorgi remains under investigation following allegations she used a fake Covid vaccination certificate to gain entry to the Australian Open in 2022, which she and her father angrily deny.
According to Bild, she is facing trial in this case and her lawyer says she is willing to ask the judge for a shortened trial.
The lawyer added that Giorgi denies the accusations made against her.
This came after Italian doctor Daniela Grillone, who had been under investigation by authorities for allegedly giving fake Covid-19 vaccines to patients, alleged that Giorgi never received the vaccine despite having participated in the second round.
At the time, he said: “I did everything the Australian government asked me to do. Every year we’re fine with it. Of course. I got vaccinated, yes.”
Giorgi said he received one vaccine from Grillone and completed the rest of his requirements with other doctors.
“The doctor has been investigated 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 had cultivated a parallel career as a social media influencer.
“I just got all my vaccines in different places. So it’s her problem, not mine. So I’m very calm about that.”
Giorgi had won four titles on the WTA tour and reached the quarter-finals of Wimbledon in 2018, achieving a career-high world ranking of 26 that year.
She earned a reputation as one of the hardest hitters in women’s basketball, but also gained attention for her off-court modeling career and social media presence.