Eugenie Bouchard's lawsuit against the USTA could lead to the organization paying "millions and millions," according to her attorney.
The 21-year-old Canadian has filed a claim in the US district court seeking damages for a slip and fall that court documents say led to "severe injury to her head including, but not limited to, a concussion."
Bouchard fell while using player facilities at night at the U.S. Open after having played a mixed doubles match. She withdrew from the tournament with a concussion, and has subsequently withdrew from other events before retiring in her first match back in Beijing.
According to court documents, Bouchard was in the physiotherapy room next to the locker room and the fall is alleged to have been due to a "slippery, foreign and dangerous substance" which the tournament did not "provide any warnings" about. Both the USTA and the National Tennis Center are being sued for negligence.
Bouchard is being represented by Manhattan attorney Benedict Morelli, of Morelli Ratner Law Firm.
The slippery substance was a cleaning product, according to Morelli, speaking to the *New York Time*s. The product had been left on the floor for the night in anticipation that the room would not be used, he suggested.
Though the claim specifies it is seeking damages "in excess of $150,000," the amount could be much higher.
“We could be talking about millions and millions,” Bouchard's attorney said, "we don’t know the extent yet."