McKenzie accused the organization of failing to ensure her safety and protect her from a sexual assault by her former coach, Anibal Aranda, at the USTA's training facility in Florida in 2018.

According to The Athletic, McKenzie stated that the assault took place when she was 19 and Aranda was 34 on a back court at the USTA's Orlando training center. The lawsuit, which was filed in 2022, claimed that the USTA had failed to disclose Aranda's previous assault on one of their employees.

The U.S. Center for SafeSport conducted an investigation, which concluded that it was "more likely than not" that Aranda had inappropriately touched McKenzie. The New York Times reviewed a copy of the final ruling, which detailed the alleged incident where Aranda touched McKenzie's vagina over her clothes and groped her under the pretense of teaching her a serving technique.

During the investigation, Aranda denied ever touching McKenzie inappropriately. The USTA promptly suspended and fired Aranda, who also claimed to have no recollection of inappropriately touching another USTA employee.

In her lawsuit, McKenzie cited the emotional toll the incident had taken on her, including anxiety, panic attacks, and depression. And now, after a week-long trial in Orlando, a jury has handed down a verdict in her favor. McKenzie has been awarded $3 million in compensatory damages and an additional $6 million in punitive damages.

The jury determined that the USTA demonstrated a conscious disregard for the rights and safety of others, highlighting the organization's attempts to keep McKenzie's case under wraps. These actions contributed to the sizable punitive damages awarded by the jury.

Expressing her relief and sense of validation, McKenzie spoke to The Athletic, saying, "It was very hard, but I feel now that it was all worth it. I hope I can be an example for other girls to speak out even when it's hard."

In response to the verdict, USTA spokesman Chris Widmaier issued a statement expressing sympathy for McKenzie's ordeal. However, the organization plans to pursue all avenues of appeal. Widmaier argued that the court's ruling established a new and unreasonable expectation for victims, potentially discouraging them from coming forward in the future.

McKenzie's attorney, Robert Allard, emphasized that the jury's decision made it clear that the USTA had failed to effectively regulate itself. Allard called for a complete overhaul of the organization to ensure that victims are not silenced but encouraged to come forward.

Once regarded as a prodigy in the tennis world, McKenzie's promising career took a detour due to this traumatic incident. Nevertheless, she remains determined to revive her tennis career and hopes that her case will inspire other victims to speak out.

This landmark ruling serves as a reminder that organizations must prioritize the safety and well-being of athletes and take decisive action to address incidents of misconduct.