The glamorous facade of professional tennis has been shattered by American player Sachia Vickery, who has revealed the sport's brutal financial realities forced her to turn to sex work on OnlyFans following a "disaster" US Open.
The 28-year-old Floridian, once ranked inside the world's top 100, described the devastating economic consequences of a first-round exit at Flushing Meadows, where a defeat meant leaving New York with a net loss despite the tournament's multi-million dollar prize pool.
The Stark Economics of Early Exits
Vickery explained that after accounting for taxes, coaching fees, travel expenses, and accommodation for her entire team, a first-round loss at a major tournament actually costs players money. "You're pretty much paying to play," she stated, highlighting the unsustainable financial model for players outside the elite top 50.
Her revelation exposes the hidden crisis in professional tennis where hundreds of players struggle to break even despite competing at the sport's most prestigious events.
The OnlyFans Decision
Facing mounting debts and unable to afford basic training costs, Vickery made the difficult decision to create an OnlyFans account. The platform, known for adult content, has become an unexpected lifeline for athletes struggling with the financial pressures of their profession.
"I didn't know what else to do," Vickery confessed, describing how the income from OnlyFans finally allowed her to cover her training expenses and continue her tennis career.
A Growing Trend in Women's Sports
Vickery's story is part of an emerging pattern among female athletes who have turned to the subscription platform to subsidise their sporting careers. Several professional athletes have reportedly found financial stability through OnlyFans that their sport couldn't provide.
The tennis star's revelation raises serious questions about the distribution of wealth in professional tennis and the support systems available to players who haven't yet broken into the sport's highest echelons.
As the tennis world continues to promote its record-breaking prize money totals, Vickery's experience serves as a stark reminder that for many professionals, the dream comes with a financial burden few can sustain.
