‘I fell blindly in love’ – Former World No 1 tennis star reveals her $41m fortune has ‘vanished, accuses ex-husband of draining her accounts

Former world No. 1 tennis starAran, txa Sánchez Vicario has revealed that the $41million fortune she amassed during her glittering career has disappeared, claiming her ex-husband drained her bank accounts and left her to deal with the financial consequences.

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The four-time Grand Slam champion disclosed this during a recent television interview in Spain, where she opened up about the financial collapse that has overshadowed her life since retiring from professional tennis.

Sánchez Vicario, who earned an estimated $41 million (around £31 million) during her playing career through prize money and endorsements, said she trusted her then-husband, businessman Josep Santacana, to manage the family’s finances.

“I trusted him because he was the father of my children,” she said. “I fell blindly in love, and he wasn’t the person I thought he was.”

The 54-year-old claimed she focused solely on her tennis career and never took charge of her financial affairs, believing her husband was handling everything responsibly.

“I concentrated on playing tennis because I didn’t know about financial matters. I trusted my husband, and the money vanished,” she said, adding that she has been left to shoulder the burden alone.

Sánchez Vicario and Santacana, who were married from 2008 until their divorce in 2019, faced legal proceedings after being accused of hiding assets to avoid repaying a debt owed to Banque de Luxembourg.

In 2024, a Barcelona court handed Sánchez Vicario a suspended two-year prison sentence after finding her guilty of participating in the concealment of assets. She was also ordered to repay millions in outstanding debt and says she currently gives up half of her income to meet the court’s repayment terms. Santacana has denied wrongdoing.

The former Spanish star admitted the ordeal has taken a heavy emotional toll, saying she has relied on therapy and support from close friends while rebuilding her life.

Now based in the United States, Sánchez Vicario works as a tennis coach as she continues to repay her debts and rebuild her finances.

One of Spain’s greatest tennis players, Sánchez Vicario won four Grand Slam singles titles, including three French Open crowns and the 1994 US Open. She also spent 12 weeks as the world’s top-ranked women’s singles player and represented Spain at five Olympic Games, cementing her place among the sport’s all-time greats.