Tennis Pro Peyton Stearns Parts Ways with Coach Amid Misconduct Allegations
American tennis player Peyton Stearns has severed ties with her coach, Rafael Font de Mora, just two months after allegations of misconduct surfaced against him. The decision comes amid claims of inappropriate relationships with players, raising significant concerns within the sport.
Stearns, 24, confirmed her decision to The Athletic on March 8, stating that she is no longer collaborating with the 57-year-old coach. While she acknowledged the change, she opted not to elaborate on the specifics behind her choice.
Previously, an investigation by The Athletic revealed that two former WTA players, including renowned Grand Slam doubles champion Pam Shriver, had lodged complaints with the tour’s safeguarding director regarding Font de Mora's conduct.
After a hiatus from the tour, Font de Mora made a comeback at the start of the season. This return prompted several former players to voice their concerns about his involvement in the sport.
Shriver's complaint detailed an alleged inappropriate relationship between Font de Mora and Meghann Shaughnessy, whom he coached during the 1990s and 2000s. Shaughnessy began working with Font de Mora at the age of 13, and it is claimed that she moved into his home when she was just 14, while he was 25. They reportedly became engaged when she turned 19.
According to reports, Shriver decided to report Font de Mora after encountering him at a hotel during the Australian Open in January. Her action may have been influenced by her own past experience of an inappropriate relationship with a coach that began when she was 17.
Font de Mora has maintained that his relationship with Shaughnessy was platonic until she reached adulthood. The couple eventually ended their relationship in 2005 without marrying.
Shaughnessy has not publicly accused Font de Mora of any misconduct. However, another anonymous player has come forward with a complaint alleging that he displayed “aggressive, physically and verbally abusive behavior,” including swearing directly at her and hitting balls aggressively in her direction.
A third player corroborated this account, describing training sessions under Font de Mora as excessively demanding, stating that “players were worked until they were on the verge of physical collapse” and noting that “no other coach made her play as long or as under-fueled.”
When approached for comment regarding these allegations in January, Font de Mora dismissed them, asserting, “Your questions are statements that are not true. I coordinate my training and sprints with professional trainers and biomechanists and I am a very positive coach.”
Despite the serious nature of these allegations, Stearns has not publicly voiced any complaints about her time working with Font de Mora. However, during the Australian Open, when asked about his alleged history on the WTA Tour, she responded, “Yeah, I mean, it’s been around, but I think right now, just not really going to dive into that, no comment.”
