USTA Formally Denies Garrison's Discrimination Accusations

By Daniel Kaplan, Staff Writer, SportsBusiness Journal

The USTA yesterday formally denied the allegation that it discriminated against Zina Garrison in dismissing her as Fed Cup captain. In its response to her initial February lawsuit, the USTA in an eight-page filing with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York maintained Garrison was dismissed for business reasons, and not because of her race. The filing also said her complaint is subject to arbitration outlined in her contract. Additionally, the USTA asked the court to strike from Garrison's complaint allegations that the organization has historically discriminated against African-Americans. The court last Friday ordered a settlement discussion between the two sides in June.