NET LOSS

Tennis stars who lost multi-million pound fortunes – Wimbledon legend who blew £127m to ex-champion swindled by own dad

THEY were once part of an elite group with millions in the bank thanks to their success on the court.

But for some top tennis players their glory days seem like a distant memory, after losing their vast fortunes.

Advertisement
Boris Becker made £127million from his tennis career but lost it allCredit: Getty

One ex-Wimbledon legend hit rock bottom following an expensive divorce, while another former champion claims he was swindled out of £23.7million by his own dad.

Here we take a look at the stars of the game who lost millions.

WIMBLEDON BETTING SPECIAL - BEST OFFERS AND FREE BETS

'Duped' by parents

In a career that spanned 20 years until her retirement in 2020, Arantxa Sánchez, 51, was one of the most powerful players in women's tennis.

Advertisement

The Spaniard was a former World No. 1 in both singles and doubles and went on to win 14 Grand Slam titles - four in singles, six in women's doubles, and four in mixed doubles.

By the time of her retirement her career prize money stood at £13.4million, and she had several endorsement deals.

But in 2012 she made the startling revelation she was struggling to pay off debts.

She claimed in her book - Arantxa, Vamos! Memoirs of a Struggle, a Life, and a Woman - it was because her parents had drained her of her £43.5million fortune.

Advertisement

Most read in Sport

World Indoor Bowls
Action ON NOW with Beth Riva back in action TONIGHT - latest
Bolt on
Bolton sack Ian Evatt after four years in charge after losing at home again
BARC-ICAL
‘Have you ever seen a goal like that?’ asks commentator in bizarre Barcelona tie
DONE DEALS
Walker to AC Milan IMMINENT, Napoli in for '£50m Garnacho', Arsenal eye Sesko

"My parents left me with nothing and now I am indebted to the [tax authorities] and I will not be quiet. My mother decided on my hair, my clothes... When I bought something on my own, she rarely liked it. Today, I am without resources," Sánchez wrote.

Arantxa Sánchez was one of the most dominant players in women's tennisCredit: Getty
In her book she claimed her mum stole millions from herCredit: Getty

"I never questioned the way my father managed my money. I have been a victim, I was duped."

Advertisement

Her parents denied the allegations, claiming they were made to "hurt and humiliate" them.

It was reported by Euro Sports that Sánchez was no longer in touch with them, or her two brothers.

Blew £127m fortune

Boris Becker made an eye-watering £127million from his incredible careerCredit: Alamy
He blew the lot, thanks to his expensive lifestyle, and was later sentenced to jail for hiding his assetsCredit: The Mega Agency
Advertisement

Boris Becker became the youngest winner of the men's Wimbledon title aged just 17 in 1985. Over his 15-year career, he won 64 titles - including six Grand Slams.

The 55-year-old German, who became a commentator and media personality after his playing career ended in 1999, is generally considered one of the greatest names in the sport.

Becker made £127m throughout the course of his career but said he began to suffer financial difficulties post-retirement.

He revealed his £12million out-of-court divorce settlement with ex-wife Barbara in 2018, as well as his expensive lifestyle, which included £22,000-a-month rent for a house in Wimbledon, all contributed to the loss of his fortune.

Advertisement

In 2001 he was ordered to pay millions to a Russian model he had fathered a daughter with.

The following year he was found to owe £800,000 in liabilities after being convicted of tax evasion and attempted tax evasion in Germany. It was reported he'd made some unsuccessful investments in Nigerian oil companies.

Becker was declared bankrupt in 2017 due to an unpaid loan of over £3m on his estate in Mallorca, Spain.

His ultimate fall from grace came after he was found to have hidden assets and loans he was required to disclose to creditors and the bankruptcy trustee.

Advertisement

In April 2022 Becker was jailed for two and a half years after he was found guilty of four offences under the Insolvency Act.

Dad's betrayal

Juan Martin del Potro received massive attention when he defeated Roger Federer in 2009Credit: Emirates
He is said to have found out that his father stole millions from him after his deathCredit: Getty

Argentinian player Juan Martin del Potro, 34, made headlines in 2009 when he defeated the then-five-time defending champion Roger Federer to clinch the US Open.

Advertisement

He became the only man outside the Big Three - Federer, Djokovic and Nadal - to win a major title between the 2005 French Open and the 2012 US Open.

The 6ft 6in player, who was forced to reconsider his career after a string of injuries, also won an Olympic bronze medal at London 2012 and a silver at the 2016 Rio Games.

He made £20.4m in career prize money and had lucrative endorsement deals with huge brands like Nike, Wilson, Peugeot and Rolex.

But last year it was alleged his father Daniel, who served as his manager and was in charge of his accounts and investments before he died in 2021, had stolen £23.7million from him.

Advertisement

During a discussion on American TV, journalist Karina Mazzocco made the claims while discussing del Potro's financial situation.

She said: "In the bank he should not have more than $3m. It's a lot of money, of course, but he thought he never had to work again in his life when he realised this disaster.

"Del Potro's father, a veterinarian by profession, swindled his own son. Juan found himself with the worst scenario when he got into the numbers."

Failed investment

Goran Ivanišević was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame after he retiredCredit: Getty
Advertisement
He invested in construction in Croatia but says it all 'went wrong'Credit: Getty

Goran Ivanišević, 51, made history in 2001 when he became the first and only player to have won a Wimbledon singles title as a wildcard - ranked world No. 125.

After amassing £15.7million in career prize money, the Croatian retired in 2004.

But a year later he revealed in an interview he was broke and facing bankruptcy after investing in construction businesses in his home country.

Advertisement

He said: "Everything in which I invested money in Croatia went wrong.

"I don't belong to any (political) party, I'm not in any lobby or pressure group. I have not bribed anyone, and in construction business in Croatia, you cannot even build a house for a dog if don't give bribes."

But the player appears to have bounced back in recent years. He is now part of Novak Djokovic's training team - a position he has held since 2019 - and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2020.

Failed fashion brand

After he retired, Björn Borg heavily invested in a fashion empire but it failed to take offCredit: Alamy
Advertisement
Borg was on the brink of bankruptcy before the company was bought for £10.2millionCredit: Getty

Swedish player Björn Borg's impact on tennis is undeniable - he was the first man to win 11 Grand Slam titles in the Open Era and won five consecutive Wimbledon titles.

He set numerous records in his heyday that are yet to be broken and is regarded one of the greatest tennis players of all time.

He retired from the sport in 1984, aged 26, having earned £2.8m in prize money and millions in endorsements - though he did later attempt a comeback.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Topics
Advertisement
machibet777.com