Arantxa Sanchez Vicario Broke After Losing $60 Million

By: Michael Stevens
02/09/2012 04:42 AM ET

Arantxa Sanchez Vicario released a memoir this week where she accuses her parents of losing an estimated $60 million in career earnings through mismanagement.

In Arantxa Vamos! Memoirs of a struggle, a life and a woman, Sanchez Vicario writes: “My parents left me with nothing and now I am indebted to the [tax authorities] and I will not be quiet.”

She earned $17 million in prize money during her 17-year career that ended in 2002. That ranks 10th on the WTA Tour’s all-time prize money list. She earned another $40 million in endorsements. She was one of the best players of her era winning 29 singles events including four Grand Slams. She won a total of 14 Grand Slams including doubles. In 1995 she became only the second woman ever to be ranked No. 1 at the same time in both singles and doubles.

Sanchez-Vicario’s mother wrote an open letter to Spanish media denying her daughter’s accusations insisting, “We never took advantage of Arantxa and under no circumstances is she broke.”

The Sanchez-Vicario family was tennis royalty during the 1990s with Arantxa on tour, along with her brothers, Javier and Emilio. They often represented Spain in international tennis competitions like the Davis Cup and Fed Cup. In December, Arantxa was chosen as the Fed Cup captain for Spain.

Athletes have always struggled to maintain their fortunes after their careers are over.

Source: Arantxa Sanchez Vicario