The documents allege that in March 2014, White became "increasingly hostile" after failing to win a medal at the Olympics and took out his frustration on Ms Zawaideh, consistently calling her a "b*tch".

Ms Zawaideh alleged there were also times when she felt physically threatened by White.

"On a few occasions when the band was practising, White gestured that he was going to backhand Zawaideh," the complaint says.

"He yelled out uncalled for remarks such as, 'I'll f**king slap you.' Zawaideh was fearful that White would hit her."

On another occasion, Ms Zawaideh claims she witnessed White tell a taxi driver: "You suck d**k for a living!"

In August 2016, White acknowledged sending the texts but alleged Ms Zawaideh was using them to get money out of him, including more than $50,000 she claimed he owed her in back payments.

"Many years ago, I exchanged texts with a friend who is now using them to craft a bogus lawsuit," he said in a statement issued through his lawyer.

"There is absolutely no coincidence to the timing of her claims, and we will defend them vigorously in court."

In response, Ms Zawaideh said she was pursuing the case "because women should not have to tolerate harassment at work".

"Shaun White should not be allowed to do whatever he wants just because he is famous. Although I am embarrassed to have been treated this way, I cannot sit by and watch him do this to other women."

According to TMZ, White submitted — and later withdrew — a request for Ms Zawaideh to undergo a mental health examination to back her claims of emotional and mental distress.

The pair settled for an undisclosed sum in May 2017.