Abuse Vortices at German Tennis Association (DTB)
Several young professional tennis players have come forward with allegations of sexual abuse against Dirk Hordorff, vice president of the German Tennis Association (DTB). Among them is Maximilian Abel, a former professional tennis player, who claims that Hordorff sexually abused him when he was still a young player in the industry.
Hordorff is accused of hitting Abel on the butt with his belt at the ATP tournament in Hamburg’s Rothenbaum about 20 times while the young player looked back and saw Hordorff with an erection. Abel expressed his shock and disgust at the time, “I was shocked, felt like shit,” he said. Furthermore, Sriram Balaji, an Indian professional tennis player, also made similar allegations against Hordorff.
Balaji claimed that Hordorff came into his room at least once a week and ordered him to undress while he touched him all over his body but not on his genitals. Moreover, Hordorff also humiliated Balaji on the tennis court by pulling his ears, he said, “I had the feeling that he wanted to treat me like his slave”.
The DTB has investigated the issue, and an unnamed member of the executive committee was called out in the process. However, the association announced that the abuse allegation “not with certainty could be proven.” They announced that the member would no longer hold office until further notice.
Sexual abuse is a significant problem in sports, and such allegations must be taken seriously. It is commendable that these young players have come forward to share their traumatic experiences. It helps start a conversation that needs to be addressed with great urgency. It is high time that governing sports bodies take strict measures to eradicate sexual abuse in sports.
