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Outlook: Facing a Grand Slam champion and my own parents in court

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Facing a Grand Slam champion and my own parents in court

25/03/2024 GMT

BBC World Service - Outlook, Facing a Grand Slam champion and my own parents in court

When Olivia Jasriel took her childhood abuser to court, her parents testified against her

When Olivia Jasriel took her childhood abuser to court, she never expected that her own parents would testify against her.

As a bright young star on South Africa’s tennis circuit, Olivia Jasriel quickly rose through the ranks and caught the eye of one of the tennis world’s star players. Grand Slam champion Bob Hewitt was tennis royalty, so when he asked to become Olivia's coach, her parents jumped at the opportunity. He was one of the greatest doubles players of all time, but had been using his fame to groom and abuse his underage pupils. 

Olivia was only 12 years old when Hewitt first abused her. When she told her mother about the assault, she wasn’t believed. 35 years later, a chance phone call from a childhood friend would lead Olivia to file the first criminal charge against Hewitt. But her mother’s first denial would not be her last — both of Olivia’s parents testified against her in the trial. 

Olivia went on to create a foundation that supports survivors of abuse in sport. 


This programme contains references to childhood sexual abuse and an attempted suicide. If you are struggling emotionally, support is available internationally at https://www.befrienders.org and in the UK at bbc.co.uk/actionline

Presenter: Ramita Navai
Producer: Kevyah Cardoso

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707

(Photo: Olivia Jasriel faces down her childhood abuser, former tennis champion Bob Hewitt, in court. Credit: Chris Collingridge)

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