The now 63-year-old has advocated for tennis’ governing bodies to regulate the relationship between coaches and players to protect the interests, both professional and personal, of young women in her sport.
Shriver posted on X in response to the Athletic article: “When will pro tennis treat anti-abuse with [the] same seriousness, investment and conviction as anti-corruption and anti-doping? It’s time.”
Font de Mora has denied all allegations against him.
Pam Shriver says tennis can no longer accept relationships between players and their coaches. Credit: Eddie Jim
The now 57-year-old coached American player Shaughnessy in the 1990s and early 2000s, starting when she was 13.
She left home to move into his house, alongside other players, when she was 14 and he was 25, and they became engaged when she was 19.
Font de Mora said that his relationship with Shaughnessy was platonic until she turned 18, but according to reports from Sports Illustrated magazine, Shaughnessy’s parents had objected to her living with Font de Mora and that the family had become estranged as a result.
Peyton Stearns serves against Amanda Anisimova during the third round of the Australian Open. Credit: Getty Images
The Athletic reported that Shaughnessy had not alleged any wrongdoing by Font de Mora and declined to be interviewed beyond confirming that she and Font de Mora never married.
According to The Athletic, at least two of Font de Mora’s previous players have accused him of aggressive and manipulative behaviour, although the players were not named.
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“Your questions are statements that are not true. I coordinate my training and sprints with professional trainers and biomechanist(s) and I am a very positive coach,” Font de Mora told The Athletic.
The Athletic reported Stearns’ representative, Enric Molina, communicated through tour representatives that Stearns did not wish to be asked specific questions about Font de Mora’s behaviour and past relationships with players.
The WTA said in a statement to this masthead that reports and investigations into alleged violations of its code of conduct and safeguarding code were confidential.
“When the WTA receives such a report, it takes the matter seriously and follows its established rules and procedures in accordance with the WTA Safeguarding Code,” it said.
This masthead attempted to contact Shriver for comment via her online channels, and was unable to reach Font de Mora via Tennis Australia.
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