NEW YORK — Canadian tennis star Eugenie Bouchard made headlines in 2015 when she filed a lawsuit against the United States Tennis Association (USTA) after suffering a serious injury in a locker room at the US Open. The incident occurred when Bouchard slipped on a cleaning substance, leading to a fall that left her with a concussion and burns.
The lawsuit, filed in Brooklyn federal court, alleged negligence on the part of the USTA for failing to maintain safe conditions in the player facilities. Bouchard, then a rising star ranked No. 25 in the world, claimed the fall significantly impacted her career trajectory, forcing her to withdraw from the tournament and miss subsequent events due to medical complications.
The Incident and Immediate Aftermath
According to court documents, Bouchard slipped on a "slippery, foreign and dangerous substance" in a dimly lit physiotherapy room at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The incident occurred late at night after her mixed doubles match. "I felt this burning sensation on my skin and realized something was seriously wrong," Bouchard later testified.
Medical reports confirmed she sustained:
- A concussion with post-concussion syndrome
- Chemical burns requiring specialized treatment
- Severe headaches and dizziness lasting months
Legal Proceedings and Arguments
Bouchard's legal team argued the USTA failed in its duty of care by:
- Allowing a hazardous cleaning substance to remain on the floor
- Failing to post warning signs about wet surfaces
- Maintaining inadequate lighting in the treatment area
The USTA countered that players assume certain risks when using tournament facilities and that Bouchard should have been more cautious. They also disputed the severity of her injuries and their impact on her career. However, internal emails revealed tournament officials had discussed slippery floor complaints from other players in the weeks before Bouchard's accident.
Settlement Reached
After nearly three years of litigation, the parties reached a confidential settlement in 2018. While terms weren't disclosed, legal experts estimated the payout likely ranged between $1-5 million based on:
- Lost prize money and endorsements
- Medical expenses and rehabilitation costs
- Potential future earnings impact
Career Impact and Recovery
Bouchard struggled to regain her pre-injury form, never returning to the top 30. In a 2019 interview, she reflected: "That fall changed everything. I was playing the best tennis of my life, and suddenly I couldn't practice for months. The concussion symptoms made it impossible to focus on court."
Medical experts testified that post-concussion syndrome can significantly impair an athlete's reaction time and coordination - critical skills in professional tennis. Bouchard's case highlighted the often-overlooked risks of non-competition injuries in sports.
Safety Changes Implemented
Following the lawsuit, the USTA reportedly made several safety improvements at the National Tennis Center:
- Enhanced lighting in all treatment areas
- Stricter protocols for cleaning substance application
- Mandatory "wet floor" signage during maintenance
- Increased staff training on hazard identification
USTA spokesman Chris Widmaier stated: "Player safety is our top priority. While we cannot comment on specific litigation, we continually evaluate and improve our facility operations to provide the safest possible environment for all participants."
Conclusion
The Bouchard case served as a wake-up call for tournament organizers about facility safety standards. While the financial settlement remained private, the legal battle underscored the significant consequences that can stem from seemingly minor oversights in venue maintenance.
For Bouchard, the incident marked a turning point in a promising career. Though she continued competing, she never quite recaptured the form that took her to the 2014 Wimbledon final. "You never think something like this will happen to you," she later told Tennis Channel. "It changed how I view safety in every facility I enter."