Georgia’s top tennis player is set to be heading back to court after it was confirmed legal proceedings have been launched against him by a businessman who claims he helped fund his career.
Russian sports website Vseprosport has published a photograph of the legal document detailing an allegation made by Irakli Kacharava. Kacharava says he has helped fund the career of the world No.35 since 2015 but has not received any reimbursement. In the legal complaint it is claimed that a document was signed between the two parties which states that the businessman is entitled to a share of the earnings Basilashvili has made on the Tour.
The amount of money Kacharava says he owed is $1.5M which is just under a quarter of what Basilashvili has made in his entire career ($6.046M). His lawyers say the contract state he was entitled to 30% of what the tennis player made whilst ranked in the world’s top 50, as well as a share of his endorsement earnings.
Anna Jalagonia, who is the lawyer representing Kacharava, accuses Basilashvili of violating the terms since 2017 and not paying her client.
Radio Tavisupleba, which is part of the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty network, confirmed the lawsuit paperwork was accepted by the Tbilisi City Court on Tuesday April 27th. RFE/RL tried to contact Basilashvili’s lawyer but she didn’t comment and the same applied to his family. Although the website says some unnamed family members branded Kacharava an ‘extortionist.’
Last year Basilashvili was taken to court by ex-wife Neka Dorokashvili over domestic abuse allegations which he has denied doing. The couple also has a young son.
The 29-year-old is currently playing at Bavarian International in Munich where he is the fifth seed. Earlier this year he won his fourth ATP title at the Qatar Open in Doha where he defeated Roger Federer in the semi-finals.
Basilashvili has made no public comment on the latest lawsuit against him.
