Peyton Stearns Ends Coaching Relationship With Rafael Font de Mora Amid WTA Misconduct Investigation
American tennis professional Peyton Stearns has formally ended her coaching relationship with Rafael Font de Mora, a coach recently embroiled in a misconduct investigation by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA). The split, confirmed at the Indian Wells tournament, follows a series of complaints about Font de Mora’s past behaviors toward former players.
Stearns, currently ranked inside the top 50 of the WTA standings, declined to elaborate publicly on the reasons for the decision, saying only that she and her former coach parted ways after the first Grand Slam of the year. “I’m not going to dive into that,” she told reporters.
WTA Probes Allegations From Former Players
The investigation stems from complaints filed by two former women’s players, including Pam Shriver, a 22‑time Grand Slam doubles champion and longtime advocate for player safety. Shriver’s complaint focuses on Font de Mora’s coaching relationship with Meghann Shaughnessy, whom he coached beginning in the early 1990s when she was a young teenager. According to reporting, Shaughnessy moved into Font de Mora’s home at age 14 and later became engaged to him when she reached adulthood — a partnership that has drawn scrutiny given the age difference and coaching context.
While no formal allegation of legal wrongdoing has been made by Shaughnessy herself, the timeline and circumstances prompted concern from Shriver and others about the power dynamics involved.
Another former player, speaking on condition of anonymity, described aggressive behavior during training, including swearing and forceful ball striking toward players under his instruction. A third player reportedly corroborated aspects of that account.
Coach Denies Misconduct Allegations
Font de Mora, 57, has consistently denied all allegations of misconduct. In email responses cited in reporting, he said questions about the complaints were “statements that are not true” and described himself as a coach focused on positive training supported by professional trainers and biomechanists. He also provided contact details for Stearns and her trainer in an attempt to illustrate his coaching methods.
The WTA has stated that details of investigations into potential breaches of its Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Code are confidential and not open for public disclosure, limiting the organization’s ability to comment publicly on specific allegations.
Impact on Stearns and Future Plans
The split comes as Stearns continues her professional campaign, including competition at high‑profile events like the BNP Paribas Open. She has already started working with a new coach, Roberto Ortega, who previously coached other WTA players.
Although Stearns has not accused her former coach of misconduct, the decision to end the partnership reflects growing awareness and sensitivity within the sport around coach‑player relationships and safeguarding measures designed to protect athletes.
Industry observers say the episode highlights persistent challenges in professional tennis regarding accountability and oversight within coaching ranks, particularly when past relationships reemerge under new scrutiny.
Broader Context in Professional Tennis
The WTA’s handling of alleged misconduct cases has been under increased attention in recent years, with the tour adopting more proactive safeguarding protocols. Past controversies — such as the suspension and eventual reinstatement of other high‑profile coaches — have underscored the complexity of addressing misconduct while balancing fairness and confidentiality.
For Stearns, the focus now is on stabilizing her training environment and competitive strategy for the rest of the season. Analysts suggest the young American’s ranking and performance potential remain strong, but the departure of an experienced coach in the midst of a controversial investigation marks a significant moment in her career trajectory.
