Former world No. 1 Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, a Wimbledon star who won 14 Grand Slam titles and earned approximately £12 million in prize money, has revealed she was left with 'nothing' after her parents allegedly controlled and squandered her finances. The Spanish tennis legend, now 54, also earned an estimated £23.6 million from endorsements and sponsorships during her career.
Autobiography Allegations
In her 2012 autobiography, Sanchez-Vicario wrote: 'My parents left me with nothing and now I am indebted to the [tax authorities] and I will not be quiet.' She described her financial situation as a 'nightmare' and stated that her relationship with her family is 'nonexistent.' She added: 'How is it possible that everything I obtained has disappeared, does not exist? I am the victim and the cheated one.'
Legal Action Against Family
Nearly 15 years after becoming the first singles player to defeat both Venus and Serena Williams, Sanchez-Vicario took legal action against her father and elder brother, Javier. The case concluded after three years with an undisclosed settlement. Despite the resolution, her relationship with her family remained fractured.
Family Response
In response to the allegations, Sanchez-Vicario's mother released a statement denying any wrongdoing: 'We never took advantage of Arantxa and under no circumstances is she broke.' She accused her daughter of showing no 'concern' for the family, saying: 'We have not received a single visit from our daughter. Not a single trace of concern. Not even a 'how are you?'. For 20 years we lived for her. We left everything else aside and we jeopardised our lives and our marriage. I personally accompanied her from a very young age to all her tournaments. It's clear we failed with her.'
Career Achievements
Sanchez-Vicario, who was ranked world No. 1 in both singles and doubles, won singles titles at the French Open and US Open, doubles titles at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open, and mixed doubles titles at the Australian Open, French Open, and US Open. Her career earnings from prize money alone totaled around £12 million, with additional millions from endorsements.
Life After Retirement
Since retiring in 2002, Sanchez-Vicario's life has been tumultuous, marked by financial struggles and family disputes. Despite her on-court success, she has faced significant challenges off the court, leaving her with little to show for her illustrious career.
