‘I’ll Never Forget That Day’ — Camila Giorgi Opens Up About the Life-Changing Moment That Left Fans in Tears

In the high-stakes world of professional tennis, where every swing of the racket can swing fortunes, few players have captivated audiences quite like Camila Giorgi. The Italian powerhouse, with her blistering forehand and unyielding intensity, turned heads not just for her athletic prowess but for the enigmatic aura that surrounded her. Now 33, Giorgi has traded the baseline for the runway and the red carpet, embracing a new chapter as a lingerie model and media personality. But it’s her raw, heartfelt revelations about a pivotal turning point in her life that have struck a chord deepest, drawing tears from even the most stoic fans. In a candid interview on Italy’s Verissimo show, she uttered words that echoed through social media: “I’ll never forget that day.” That moment, she confessed, marked the end of an era—and the dawn of her true self.

## The Reluctant Star: A Career Forged in Fire

Born in Macerata, Italy, on December 30, 1991, to Argentine parents Sergio and Claudia, Camila grew up far from the polished academies of European tennis elites. Her father, a former coach with unconventional methods rooted in martial arts and holistic training, spotted her potential early. By age five, she was wielding a racket, her family’s nomadic lifestyle shuttling them between Italy and Argentina. Sergio’s influence was profound; he not only shaped her game but became her constant companion on tour, a figure as controversial as he was devoted.

Giorgi’s breakthrough came in fits and starts. She burst onto the scene in 2011, stunning former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki at the US Open. Wins over Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka followed, cementing her as a dangerous underdog. Her peak ranking of No. 26 in 2018 came courtesy of a Wimbledon quarterfinal run, where her aggressive baseline play—marked by flat, powerful groundstrokes—left opponents scrambling. She claimed four WTA titles, including the 2021 Montreal Masters 1000, a career highlight where she toppled Karolina Pliskova in a three-set thriller. Post-match, tears streaming down her face, she turned to her father in the stands, whispering gratitude for the sacrifices that got her there. “He believed in me when no one else did,” she later reflected. That victory, she now admits, was bittersweet—a peak overshadowed by the toll of the tour.

Yet, behind the glamour and glory lurked shadows. Sergio’s fiery temperament often clashed with officials; umpires called security on him during matches, citing threats and disruptions. Financial scandals dogged the family, with allegations of unpaid debts to sponsors and, later, tax irregularities. In 2023, whispers of fake COVID vaccination certificates surfaced, though Giorgi vehemently denied involvement. Through it all, she remained fiercely loyal. “They say he controls me. False,” she tweeted in 2023. “I dedicate every success to him… I owe him everything.” Fans admired her grit, but many wondered: At what cost?

## The Weight of the World: Anxiety and the Breaking Point

As the years wore on, the relentless grind began to erode Giorgi’s spirit. “I love my life. Tennis is just my work,” she once quipped, prioritizing fashion shoots over practice sessions. Her social media brimmed with sultry lingerie photos and elegant ensembles, a stark contrast to the sweat-soaked intensity of the court. But beneath the poised exterior, anxiety festered. In a 2024 Australian Open presser, after a first-round loss to Azarenka, she opened up about the mental strain. “Defeat no longer hurts. I have already given a lot to tennis,” she said, her voice steady but eyes distant. “I still have passion, but no anxiety about performance.”

The controversies compounded the pressure. By early 2024, reports emerged of a Florence prosecutor’s probe into the Giorgi family’s tax filings—alleged “gaps” spanning years, with no returns submitted. Whispers of unpaid rent for a rented villa near Florence added fuel, the landlord claiming six months’ arrears and missing antiques. Then, in May 2024, the WTA quietly listed her as retired, her phone going unanswered. Rumors swirled: Had she fled to the US with her parents and brothers, evading authorities? Fans mourned the abrupt exit of a player who, despite inconsistencies, delivered electric tennis.

In her Verissimo appearance, Giorgi dismantled the narrative with quiet defiance. “It was not an escape,” she insisted, laughing off the “fugitive” label. “I moved to America permanently with my parents.” The tax issues? “My family, including my father, was not aware… Problems were created by external people who managed me.” She emphasized Sergio’s role as coach, not financier: “We changed all the people who handle the financial side.” The interview, aired in late 2024, showcased a lighter Giorgi—smiling, unburdened—hinting at a new romance with Argentine politician Ramiro Marra, whom she met “in his office… love at first sight.”

## ‘That Day’ in May: The Moment of Liberation

But the emotional core of her story—the line that left viewers reaching for tissues—was her recounting of the retirement decision. “I’ve wanted to quit for years,” she revealed, her voice cracking. “The life of a tennis player is a hard one. I put it off for a long time, then one morning in May, I decided. I told my father. He was happy; he’s always been on my side.”

That May morning, she described, dawned like any other in her Miami home. Sunlight filtered through the blinds as she sipped coffee, the weight of another training session looming. For years, she’d pushed through injuries, scandals, and the isolation of constant travel. “I woke up and it hit me,” she said, pausing as emotion welled. “No more. This isn’t me anymore.” She called her father immediately, bracing for pushback. Instead, Sergio’s response was a simple, supportive affirmation. “He understood. We’ve always gotten along so well.” In that instant, the chains of obligation snapped. “I’ll never forget that day,” she whispered, tears glistening. “It was freedom.”

Fans flooded social media with support. “Camila deserves this peace,” one wrote. “Her vulnerability broke me—crying for the girl who gave everything.” Another recalled her 2014 US Open run: “She fought like a lion, but lions need rest.” The moment resonated as a universal anthem for burnout, especially in sports where athletes are often commodities.

## A New Court: From Baseline to Spotlight

Post-retirement, Giorgi’s pivot has been as stylish as her serve. She launched a food blogging venture, sharing decadent recipes in glamorous attire—Christmas desserts in red satin drawing over a million views. In February 2025, she surprised crowds at the Argentina Open, microphone in hand, interviewing stars like Sebastian Baez with effortless charm. “Tennis? Door closed forever,” she declared. “When I close a door, I never open it again.”

Her Venice Film Festival appearance in September 2025, in a shimmering white gown, marked a triumphant return to Italy amid the lingering probes. Lawyers assured her clearance, and she focused forward: modeling gigs, perhaps a media career. “I’m excited for what’s next,” she told Verissimo. With Marra by her side, she envisions a life blending passion and poise—no more early mornings, no more scorelines.

Camila Giorgi’s journey reminds us that true champions aren’t defined by trophies alone. In baring her soul about “that day,” she didn’t just close a chapter; she inspired countless others to embrace their own. As one tearful fan posted, “Thank you, Camila. For the aces… and for showing us it’s okay to walk away.” In the end, her greatest win may be the one she claimed for herself.