Camila Giorgi, the controversial Italian tennis star who abruptly left the sport in 2024 to pursue a modeling career, is making another unexpected pivot and returning to tennis. The 34-year-old announced her comeback during a Q&A session on her Instagram Story, confirming she will be back on the court in 2027.
Return to Tennis Announced
When asked by a fan if she would return to tournament tennis in the future, Giorgi replied, “Yes in 2027.” She also confirmed that she is expecting a baby boy, having previously announced her pregnancy in February 2026. The news has surprised many in the tennis world, as Giorgi had seemingly left the sport for good.
Abrupt Departure and Modeling Career
Giorgi last competed professionally at the Miami Open in March 2024. Shortly after, she secretly quit tennis and moved to the United States to become a lingerie model. She resurfaced in February 2025, working as an interviewer at the ATP Argentine Open in Buenos Aires. Her official retirement was only confirmed when her name appeared on the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s list of retired players.
During her hiatus, Giorgi posted several modeling photo shoots on her Instagram account, which now has over 691,000 followers. Her sudden retirement was accompanied by rumors that the WTA had been unable to contact her for nearly two months.
Tax Evasion Allegations
Giorgi’s departure from tennis was overshadowed by allegations of tax evasion. Reports claimed she had fled Italy to avoid paying taxes, failed to pay rent, and removed furniture from a rented villa near Florence. Giorgi denied these accusations in a television interview in October 2024.
“Did I suddenly disappear? That’s the version they said,” Giorgi told Canale 5’s Verissimo. “I didn’t disappear, I had to make an announcement in Paris about my withdrawal, then it came out on the anti-doping website that I had retired and the thing became public. I lived a little in Italy and a little in the United States. We stayed in Miami for three years. I would like to stay there forever, but I often return to Italy, I just don’t like to talk about what I do and it seems like I’m hiding … Now I’m happy, I’m where I would like to be.”
Her lawyer, Edmondo Tomaselli, also stated that she did not “run away” and denied the landlord’s claims.
Vaccination Controversy
In 2023, Giorgi faced allegations of obtaining a fake COVID-19 vaccine certificate to travel and compete in the Australian Open. She denied the claims, stating that she had been vaccinated in different locations and that any confusion was not her fault. “I just did all my vaccination in different places, so the trouble is hers, not me,” she said at the time.
Career Highlights
During her tennis career, Giorgi won four WTA titles and reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon in 2018. She achieved a career-high world ranking of 26 that same year. Her return to the sport in 2027 will be closely watched by fans and critics alike.
