WTA: Million-dollar claim against Count’s former rival Sanchez-Vicario

Steffi Graf’s long-standing rival Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario (Spain) is in financial difficulties.

Due to an outstanding payment of 7.5 million euros, Bank Luxembourg has filed a complaint with the fourth chamber of the Barcelona District Court against the former US tennis world number one. The bank is also demanding that the 46-year-old and her presumed co-liable husband Josep Santacana be remanded in custody.

As several Spanish media reported unanimously, Sanchez Vicario’s lawyer received a court order giving her five days to respond to the allegations. Specifically, the case concerns a debt of EUR 5.2 million from tax proceedings in 2009, which has since then amounted to EUR 7.5 million.

Sanchez Vicario claims that her brother and ex-professional Emilio Sanchez is unable to pay due to the alleged embezzlement of her double-digit million dollar assets. Their creditor bank, on the other hand, claims that the multiple Grand Slam winner and her spouse have concealed their assets through various shell companies in order to avoid paying off their debts. Four years ago, the couple had moved to Miami to escape pressure from the Spanish authorities and the media.