ORLANDO – The United States Tennis Association is appealing a $9 million verdict awarded to a woman who was allegedly sexually assaulted by her coach.

Orlando federal judge Paul Byron on Aug. 16 rejected the USTA’s motion for judgment, new trial or remittitur, leaving in place the nine-figure verdict reached May 6 in Kylie McKenzie’s lawsuit. She alleged escalating physical contact from her USTA coach culminated in sexual assault on a court he had specifically picked to be out of view from others.

On Sept. 12, the USTA filed its notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Its lawyers are Kevin Schaughnessy, Megan Martin and William Weber of Baker & Hostetler in Orlando.