Arantxa Sanchez Vicario says she has "nothing" from the $60 million she earned throughout her career in prize money and endorsements. She said her parents mismanaged it. Her mom disagrees.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/tennis-buste...-181706546.html

What I don't understand is how this can be when Mama Marisa is considered to be one of the best tennis moms of all times, always watching her sons' and Arantxa's matches, and being well-respected among the tours. The article mentions she's "estranged" from her "immediate family." Again, odd, considering how she was so close to her mom when on the tour.

I also don't understand the timing. She's been retired since the end of 2002. Did she wait almost nine years after retiring to say, "OK, Mom, Dad, I'm retired now, so where's my money?" Sounds like she and/or her financial team didn't do very good planning, and now that she owes the tax-man, is looking to blame someone else. Maybe Peter Graf can offer some advice?

Despite the fact she had two pro brothers, Arantxa was the super-duper bread winner of the whole clan. And let's remember, culturally in Spain is not like it is here. When I say "clan" I mean it literally. The family in the latin European countries is often placed above everything else. And women in the clan have their place in relation to the men in the clan. Practically speaking, The Sanchez Tennis Academy could never have been funded by the earnings of Emilio and Javier's pro earnings or endorsements. But Arantxa's mini-empire probably secured a lot of loans needed to grow and expand that academy, which is THE academy for tennis in Spain. It's worth thinking about.

Arantxa says her family hates her 2nd husband, so if that's true that can be a reason why everyone is estranged. And on the court, Arantxa was most definitely the victim drama-queen. Questioning every out call with that wide eyed look of disbelief complete with total stare downs of officials. So there's plenty of reason to think she did her own squandering and is happy to blame someone else. Maybe the truth is she blew the cash, and blames her parents since she doesn't speak to them anyway because she hates the fact they hate her husband?

I can't remember exactly when, but sometime after ASV retired and before she was destitute, I read an article about Arantxa living the (very) good life -- skiing in the Pyrenees, sunbathing on the Costa del Sol, always 5 star and 1st class. She said she worked very hard for many years, and was enjoying all her hard-earned money. Hey, if you can't enjoy your money, why bother working? Good for her, I thought. Then there was that report that she owed El Hacienda (the Spanish IRS) many millions of Euros, and now she claims to be broke. I have no idea what actually happened, but things definitely don't add up.

I do agree with El Hacienda's claim that she owes back taxes because her Andorra residency was bogus. She's not an Andorran citizen, and she barely spent any time there. Also, at the time that Arantxa started going by Sanchez Vicario, it was highly unusual for a Spaniard to go by their 2nd surname/mother's maiden name (although every Spanish WTAer since has done the same). Arantxa wanted to recognize her mother because they were so very close. Now she's estranged from not just her parents but brothers Emilio and Javier as well.

I don't know any of the specifics, but given that the family was once so close, is it possible that Arantxa's current husband is a Spanish Mr. Hardenne?

You know, BSR, I thought of M. Hardenne as well. Another point to consider is that it would have been very easy to lose a LOT of mioney in Spanish stocks and real estate in the last few years.

Hmmm.....maybe not so broke after all....

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