The tennis world has been rocked a few times this week. The latest blow came in the news of former world number one Arantxa Sanchez Vicario being accused of fraud. Arantxa’s case is shocking, to say the least. She stands to face imprisonment for 2 years if the trial finds her guilty of hiding assets worth $8.14 million.
The Spanish tennis star and her ex-husband Josep Santacana are the two accused in this case. Vicario has suffered a massive fall from grace in the eye of the public since the first trial was held on Tuesday.
Who is Arantxa Sanchez Vicario?
Arantxa Sanchez Vicario was one of the most prolific tennis players of her time. She also had the honor of being the first-ever Spanish WTA player to reach the top of the rankings. Arantxa rose to fame when she defeated 18-time Grand Slam champion Chris Evert in the third round of the French Open. She was only 16 years old at the time of this feat.
Sanchez quickly garnered a reputation for her tenacity on the tennis court. She proved her mettle when she defeated world number one, Steffi Graf in the final of the French Open in 1989. At 17 years of age, she became the youngest-ever player to win a singles title at the Roland-Garros.
Arantxa Sanchez loved playing at the French Open, winning the silverware thrice in her career. Her title run in the 1994 edition of the tournament ended Graf‘s 36-match winning streak.
She also won six doubles Grand Slam titles. Sanchez conquered the US Open in 1995 and followed it up with a win at Wimbledon in 1995. She also won four Grand Slam mixed doubles titles.
In addition to her own personal achievements, Sanchez also led the Spanish team to glory at the Fed Cup. She played 72 matches at the competition, the most by any player.
The trial
Vicario broke down during the trial while pleading her innocence. She claimed she trusted her ex-husband Josep to deal with all the assets, and had no idea that they were being tampered with.
“I did what he told me to do, because I am a tennis player, I have no knowledge of assets or companies or anything. I trusted my husband,” said Vicario (via ESPN).
Arantxa Sanchez Vicario is accused of hiding assets to avoid $8.14 million in debt.
She was crying during her trial in Barcelona:
“I did what he told me to do, because I am a tennis player, I have no knowledge of assets or companies or anything. I trusted my husband.” pic.twitter.com/naWqAEOJQX
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 16, 2023
Arantxa stated that she became aware of Josep’s misdeeds much later. When she confronted him, her ex-husband confessed to defrauding the Banque de Luxembourg.
Vicario disclosed that she had already paid $2.04 million to the bank, and would further pay half her income. Arantxa Sanchez Vicario was a tennis legend, but circumstances have pushed her on the verge of bankruptcy.
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