Miami: World No. 1 in women’s tennis Naomi Osaka arrived Wednesday at the Miami Open to face questions about a multi-million dollar lawsuit for allegedly failing to honour a contract with former coach Christophe Jean.
According to the lawsuit filed in Florida’s state court February 7, Jean has said he began coaching Naomi and older sister Mari in 2011. He has mentioned in the suit that he entered into a services contract with their father Francois in March 2012 which said would pay him 20 per cent of Naomi’s future earnings. However, when contacted, Naomi’s attorney Alex Spiro described the lawsuit as a ‘false claim’ that has no merit.
Naomi who has won the last two Grand Slams, the US Open and the Australian Open has so far earned $10.8 million from tennis and has made millions more in endorsements.
Jean has stated that he signed a contract that Naomi would pay him a share of her future earnings as her family were unable to pay the going rate for coaching. Asked about the lawsuit during her pre-tournament news conference Naomi said: “I’m not allowed to say anything. I am unable to make a comment.”
Spiro, however, said Jean was an opportunist looking to cash in. “While it comes as no surprise that Naomi’s meteoric rise as an international icon and inspiration would lead to some false claim, this silly ‘contract’ that Naomi never saw or signed — which purports to give away part of herself at the age of 14 — is particularly absurd,” Spiro told this agency in an email. “This case has no merit and we will move past it.”
The 21-year-old US-based Japanese player raised eyebrows last month when she announced she was parting with coach Sascha Bajin, who guided her to the Australian and US Open titles.
Reuters
