Tennis star Camila Giorgi has reportedly fled Italy with authorities keen to question her over gaps in her tax returns.
Rumours have swirled about the 32-year-old after she appeared to quietly retire from the sport this week after she was listed as “retired” on the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s website.
It emerged this week the WTA Tour has been unable to make contact with her.
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The Italian broke her silence on Sunday morning, confirming her decision to retire.
Her posts on her Instagram stories have only raised more questions.
“Please trust this Instagram for truthful information. To my lovely fans, I am happy to formally announce retirement from my tennis career,” she wrote.
Camila Giorgi of Italy. Photo by AL BELLO / GETTY IMAGES.
Camila Giorgi of Italy. Photo by AL BELLO / GETTY IMAGES.
Source: AFP
“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.”
The mystery, however, deepened after La Gazzetta dello Sport revealed the tennis player turned social media model fled to the United States with her family
The same source claimed Giorgi is wanted by Italy’s financial police.
The Macerata-born star is said to have departed alongside her father Sergio, mother Claudia and brothers Leandro as well as Amadeus.
According to investigations of the Florence Prosecutor’s Office, the former Wimbledon star and her family have several “gaps” regarding tax returns, which have never been submitted.
Giorgi during the Miami Open. (Photo by Brennan Asplen/Getty Images)
Giorgi during the Miami Open. (Photo by Brennan Asplen/Getty Images)
Source: Getty Images
It’s also suggested that Giorgi cut contact with the WTA, the Italian Tennis Federation and other competitors.
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.
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Giorgi began playing tennis when she was five and was said by Bild to want a career as a fashion designer or writer, like her when she called time on her career.
Her brother, Amadeus, was a footballer and similarly retired to little fuss five years ago.
He is now a fashion designer, and has his own brand named Giomila.
Her most recent Instagram posts have seen her work with several fashion brands as part of her collaborations away from tennis.