Former World No.1 Arantxa Sánchez Vicario reveals how she lost €52m fortune after financial dispute

Former World No.1 and Grand Slam champion Arantxa Sánchez Vicario has opened up about the financial struggles that followed the end of her playing career, revealing how she lost a fortune reportedly worth around €52 million and narrowly avoided a prison sentence.

The Spanish tennis icon, who enjoyed one of the most successful careers in the history of the sport, spoke about her difficult personal and financial situation during an appearance on Spanish television programme Universo Callejo.

Sánchez Vicario faced fraud trial alongside ex-husband

In 2023, Sánchez Vicario and her former husband Josep Santacana went on trial over allegations that they hid assets in an attempt to avoid repaying bank debts.

The case related to financial issues dating back to the early 1990s, with the former couple accused of preventing creditors from recovering money owed.

Sánchez Vicario was ultimately handed a two-year suspended prison sentence and ordered to repay almost €9 million to a bank in Luxembourg.

Former tennis star says fortune disappeared

During her television interview, Sánchez Vicario revealed that she had lost her entire fortune, which she estimated had been worth around €52 million.

The four-time Grand Slam singles champion said she trusted her former husband completely and blamed him for the financial problems that followed.

“I trusted him because he was the father of my children,” she said.

“I fell blindly in love… he really isn’t the person I thought he was.”

The former Spanish tennis star explained that her focus throughout her career was solely on competing and that she relied on others to handle her finances.

“I focused on playing tennis and never handled my own financial affairs because I didn’t know how.

“I trusted my husband… and the money vanished. I was left to shoulder the entire burden.”

How Sánchez Vicario avoided prison

Sánchez Vicario, who was married to Santacana for 11 years and has two children with him, explained that she avoided serving jail time by agreeing to strict repayment conditions.

The former champion accepted a ruling that required her to hand over 50 per cent of all future earnings towards clearing the outstanding debt.

“I am complying when deep down I was a victim,” she said.

“It was a shock. I had to go to therapy because I couldn’t believe it.

“It was like waking up from a dream and thinking, ‘This can’t be happening to me.'”

A legendary tennis career

Before her financial difficulties, Sánchez Vicario enjoyed one of the greatest careers in women’s tennis history.

The Spaniard became famous for her incredible determination, defensive ability and fighting spirit, particularly on clay courts.

She won four Grand Slam singles titles, including three French Open championships, with her first triumph at Roland Garros in 1989 coming when she was just 17 years old.

Her impressive career also included:

• 4 Grand Slam singles titles
• 6 Grand Slam women’s doubles titles
• 4 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles
• A spell as World No.1

Her achievements were recognised when she was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, cementing her status as one of Spain’s greatest sporting icons.

Life after tennis

Following her retirement, Sánchez Vicario continued to be honoured for her contribution to the sport.

A court at Caja Mágica, the venue that hosts the Madrid Masters, was named after her in 2002, although the name has since been removed.

Today, Sánchez Vicario works as a tennis coach in the United States while continuing to repay the financial debt through her earnings.

Despite the challenges away from the court, her legacy as one of the greatest players of her generation remains firmly intact.