A former tennis star who quit to become a lingerie model has been forced to deny claims she ran away to evade tax authorities.
Camila Giorgi retired from the sport in May under mysterious circumstances. The Italian modelled alongside her tennis career and many believed she would pursue that line of work after quitting tennis. But Giorgi was then accused of stealing antiques and failing to pay six months of rent before fleeing to the US.
According to investigations of the Florence Prosecutor's Office, Giorgi and her family have several "gaps" regarding unsubmitted tax returns. Her former landlord also made a series of claims alleging Giorgi had six months of unpaid rent, and that she had taken furniture with her upon her departure.
Camila Giorgi’s Lawyer Speaks Out
Giorgi's lawyer Edmondo Tomaselli has now spoken out in her defence, explaining why she had to leave the country over the last few months. He told Corriere del Veneto: "Camila Giorgi is in Rome. In recent months she has been away for professional reasons.
"In short, she has not run away at all, as some have claimed. It's all just talk, no desire not to be found, just personal commitments. Her fans have always followed her through her Instagram page, she has never been unavailable."
The Mystery Deepens
Earlier this month Giorgi, 32, shared photos from a trip to New York on social media, where she also announced her retirement months earlier. A post read: "Please trust this Instagram for truthful information. To my lovely fans, I am happy to formally announce retirement from my tennis career. I am so grateful for your wonderful love and support for so many years.
I cherish all the beautiful memories. There have been many inaccurate rumours about my future plans, so I look forward to providing more information about exciting opportunities ahead. It is a joy to share my life with you, and let's continue this journey together. With much love, Camila."
Giorgi’s Career Highlights
Across her career, she competed in all four Grand Slams, with her highest finish being a quarter-final appearance at Wimbledon six years ago. Her highest singles ranking was 26 which she achieved in the same year she reached the Wimbledon quarters. Three years ago she also reached the quarter-finals of the Tokyo Olympics.
In March, she competed at the Miami Open where she lost to world No1 Iga Swiatek. Giorgi also appears to have crossed over to social media modelling as he has often shared glam pics on Instagram where she boasts 734,000 followers.
Giorgi’s Modelling Career
A tennis star who went missing 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 get hold of her for two months.
At that time, speculation was rife over a reported move to the United States, with some suggesting she fled her native Italy in a bid 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 her aggrieved former landlord.
After months of uncertainty over her location, Giorgi seems to have finally returned to Italy - with her lawyer Edmondo Tomaselli claiming she did not 'run away' at all, Bild reports.
Camila Giorgi, who went missing after sensationally quitting tennis to become a 'lingerie model', did not 'run away', according to her lawyer
She announced her retirement from in May amid rumours that the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) had been unable to get hold of her for two months prior
Two weeks ago, she was snapped on a rooftop in Manhattan in a trip which 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, she has not run away at all, as some have claimed.
'It's all just talk, no desire not to be found, just personal commitments.
'Her fans have always followed her through her Instagram page, she has never been unavailable.'
As per the German publication, her lawyer says she denies the allegations against her.
Mr Tomaselli told Mail Sport that Giorgi also denies the allegations made by her former landlord.
Indeed, fans of the 32-year-old have been provided with a steady stream of pictures of Giorgi striking poses in an array of outfits.
Two weeks ago, she was snapped on a rooftop in Manhattan in a trip which coincided with the US Open in New York City.
Giorgi pictured with partner David Holiner in New York City during the US Open
After months of uncertainty over her location, Giorgi seems to have finally returned to Italy
The Italian was living north of the city of Florence (pictured above) until seven months ago
Earlier in the summer, a series of posts from mid-July to early August placed the former world No 26 in Dallas, Texas.
Prior to that Giorgi had had an 11-month hiatus from the social media platform with her previous post being from August 22, 2023.
During this time, the former Wimbledon quarter-finalist went through a tumultuous period where she dramatically quit the sport to pursue modelling and fashion design before falling victim to a litany of accusations.
Her apparent disappearance from Italy led many to suggest she was fleeing authorities over a tax issue, with others claiming she was escaping a landlord who said she had stolen tens of thousands of euros worth of furniture.
As per Italian outlet La Repubblica, via Corriere della Serra, this included a number of expensive items including rugs and antique 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 rugs, fine furniture, even an antique half-ton table. We are talking about damage between 50 and 100 thousand euros.'
The owner alleges that they were in discussion with Giorgi's father Sergio, adding that he had treated their concerns 'contemptuously'.
The owner of the villa claims to have spoken with Giorgi's father Serio (pictured in May 2022)
Reports have suggested that the former Wimbledon quarter-finalist and her family have issues regarding taxes
'I wrote to him that they must at least give us back our things, he responded in a contemptuous way saying that they were objects of little value,' the owner added.
'A hateful behaviour, for those like me who have suffered economic but also emotional damage.
'I can't know how much is true or how much Camila owes the State, but I know what she owes us.
'Those objects are part of my mother's life and mine: I want them back, at least this much, given that we have lost hope due to the thousands and thousands of euros in back rent.'
'When I arrived there was no one left and the house was half empty,' they continued. '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 anymore.'
This summer's chaos was not the first time the model has felt the heat from authorities.
The former world No 26 has also been caught up in controversy over her vaccination status
Giorgi remains under investigation following accusations that she used a fake Covid vaccination certificate to get into the Australian Open in 2022, which she and her father angrily deny.
As per Bild, she faces a trial over this case with her lawyer saying she is set to ask the judge for a shortened trial.
The lawyer added that Giorgi denies the allegations levelled against her.
It came after Italian doctor Daniela Grillone, who had been under investigation by authorities for allegedly delivering fake Covid-19 vaccinations to patients, alleged that Giorgi never received the jab despite her featuring in the second round.
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.'
Giorgi said she received one vaccination with Grillone and completed the rest of her requirements with other medical practitioners.
'The doctor has been investigate (sic), and she had troubles in this year with the law a few times,' Giorgi said.
Giorgi quietly retired from tennis in May before making a public statement
The 32-year-old big hitter had cultivated a parallel career as a social media influencer
'I just did all my vaccination in different places. So the trouble is hers. Not me. So with that, I'm very calm.'
Giorgi had won four titles on the WTA circuit and reached the quarter-finals of Wimbledon in 2018 - achieving a career-high world ranking of 26 that year.
She developed a reputation as one of the hardest hitters in the women's game, but also gained attention for her modelling career off the court and presence as a social media star.
A Controversial Departure
Giorgi's retirement from tennis was met with speculation. The Italian tennis star announced her retirement in May, but news of her whereabouts remained shrouded in mystery until recently.
It was revealed that Giorgi had been facing accusations of tax evasion and property theft. Her former landlord claimed she had failed to pay six months of rent and had removed furniture from her rented villa, while Italian authorities had been investigating the tennis player for alleged tax fraud.
Giorgi's lawyer, Edmondo Tomaselli, has finally broken the silence surrounding the tennis star's absence from the public eye. He clarified that Giorgi has been away from Italy for professional reasons and has not fled the country to evade authorities. Tomaselli stated that Giorgi has been active on Instagram, allowing her fans to follow her whereabouts, adding that she has never been truly unavailable.
Giorgi’s Final Words
Giorgi's lawyer also confirmed that Giorgi is currently in Rome and that she intends to deny the allegations made against her.
This news comes as a surprise to many, who have followed the former tennis player's career and were wondering about her sudden disappearance from the court.
Giorgi's journey from tennis star to lingerie model has been marked by controversy, but her lawyer's statements suggest that she is ready to face these challenges and continue pursuing her passions.
Only time will tell what the future holds for Giorgi, but one thing is certain: her story is far from over.
