Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, a Spanish tennis legend born in 1971, achieved remarkable success, becoming the first Spanish woman to reach world No. 1 in singles and holding the top spot in doubles for 111 weeks.
She secured four Grand Slam singles titles, six doubles titles, and earned four Olympic medals, contributing significantly to Spain’s Fed Cup victories.
However, post-retirement, Vicario faced legal troubles, including a conviction for fraud related to hiding assets and evading debt.
Despite a prison sentence, she avoided incarceration due to her first-time offender status and was ordered to pay a substantial fine.
Siblings
Arantxa comes from a prominent tennis family and has three siblings.
Her two older brothers, Emilio and Javier Sánchez Vicario, were both professional tennis players with notable careers.
Emilio, born in 1965, was a highly accomplished doubles player who reached the world No. 1 ranking in doubles and won five Grand Slam doubles titles.
He also represented Spain in the Olympics and later served as the captain of the Spanish Davis Cup team, leading them to victory in 2008.
Javier Sánchez Vicario, born in 1968, also had a successful tennis career.
He achieved a career-high singles ranking of No. 23 and a doubles ranking of No. 9, winning several ATP doubles titles during his time on the tour.
In addition to her brothers, Arantxa has an older sister, Marisa Sánchez Vicario, who briefly played professional tennis and reached a peak singles ranking of No. 368.
Career
Vicario’s tennis career was defined by her remarkable talent and unwavering determination, establishing her as a dominant force for over a decade.
Her victory at the 1989 French Open against Steffi Graf was a pivotal moment, marking her arrival as a serious contender and setting the stage for future success in Spanish tennis.
Vicario was renowned for her incredible court coverage, relentless retrieving, and mental toughness, making her a master of defense.
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This tenacious style often frustrated opponents and allowed her to wear them down. Her famous quote, “I am confident. I never give up,” perfectly encapsulates her approach to the game.
She triumphed at the French Open three times and at the US Open in 1994.
In addition to these wins, her consistency in reaching the later stages of Grand Slam tournaments underscores her sustained excellence, demonstrated by reaching eight additional Grand Slam singles finals.
Her success wasn’t limited to singles; Sánchez Vicario excelled in doubles, winning six Grand Slam women’s doubles titles and four mixed doubles titles.
She was a key member of the Spanish Fed Cup team, helping them secure their first title in 1991 and playing a vital role in subsequent victories.
Earning four Olympic medals solidified her place among the greatest Olympic tennis players.
Representing Spain at multiple Olympic Games highlights her dedication and pride in representing her nation.
Accolades
Vicario achieved a remarkable feat by reaching the world No. 1 ranking in women’s singles in 1995 and held this position for a total of 12 weeks.
In doubles, she also reached the No. 1 ranking, maintaining it for 111 weeks, making her one of only three players to top both rankings simultaneously.
Throughout her career, Vicario won four Grand Slam singles titles: the French Open in 1989, 1994, and 1998, and the US Open in 1994.
She also secured six Grand Slam titles in women’s doubles and four in mixed doubles, contributing to a total of 14 major titles.
In addition to her Grand Slam and Olympic success, Vicario played a pivotal role in Spain’s Fed Cup victories, helping the team secure five titles between 1991 and 1998.
She holds records for the most matches won (72) and most ties played (58) in Fed Cup history.
In recognition of her contributions to tennis, she was named the ITF World Champion in 1994.
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