A woman who is more than a woman at 51, Arantxa has the power to be girl.
– Barcelona ’92? Wow! How is the Olympic Stadium? I represented my country. And there are my parents, my friends, the kings… I am constantly excited! – said Arantxa as if she were still floating as she lost her sight, as if she was still alive. “The prince philip he boarded the bus that took us to the opening. He sat in the only empty seat, next to me! So beautiful and close, you can see the ways of a king…”, he added, overwhelmed by the illusion.
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Still a woman to him 20 years, Arantxa Sánchez Vicario is a close and inspiring queen for the people for her charismatic courage and captivating quality and her achievements. The tenderness of those 20 years did not cause the rebellious girl who was raised to 4 in the world from responsibility and who at the age of 17 dropped Steffi Graff at the end of Roland Garros of 1989. Arantxa has a hook. Idol of Spanish sport at the time with Miguel Indurain but, in a home Games without ‘Miguelón’ and on clay, he had to promise something in the promised land of Spanish tennis. And one of the precious metals is non-negotiable. He brought the bronze after he was deprived of it Jennifer Capriati, 7 of the WTA ranking, from the final.
“I’ve been consolidated, I’ve had pressure and in your country, they ask a lot more from you, the media asked you, the COE I got my medal… I want the gold, but the bronze is like glory to me, Capriati played that match very well. know control my emotions and give my best as a fighter that I am to achieve the goal. I was very young then and didn’t realize it, now I appreciate it more. Over time, wine improves.” reflected Sánchez Vicario, who also took the silver medal in doubles with Conchita Martinez after losing the final against the Americans Mary Joe Fernandez and Gigi Fernandez.
Now the luster of his metals blinds him and only good memories awaken him, because the pressure lies in the trunk of memories but in the core. Even among the many jewels that one of the most famous Spanish athletes wears between Grand Slam trophies and Olympic medals, he appreciates the rings hanging around his neck more. Barcelona and Atlanta the ones he held and carried in Paris and New York were new.
“An Olympic Games is different. Of course the Grand Slams are the big titles, but every year you have a chance and, instead, the Games are every 4 years and in them you represent your country. In addition, it must coincide that your country chooses you, that you are not hurt and that you are at your best. To me, an Olympic medal, no matter what color, is a double the fun and it is more important”, assured Arantxa, the Spanish athlete who has won the most Olympic medals with four including Mireia Belmonte Y Andrea Fuentesindividual bronze and silver in doubles with Conchita in Barcelona and reverse game in Atlanta: individual silver and bronze with Monzón.
Arantxa and Conchita, the 8th in the world, spoke as friends in Barcelona in the doubles silver but they discussed the individual metal. The table dictated that the two had to face each other rooms, where one will hold the medal in the semifinals -before tennis distributed two bronzes-, and the other will be left behind. A chapter of individual conflict interrupted for a moment the friendship of the double resolved in a difficult 6-4 and 6-4.
“There is many feelings in that game because one of the two will be left. It was a difficult match, with a lot of emotions and a lot of nerves, I think I played better in the decisive moments”, recalled the Barcelonan, leaving the Romanian on the way Irina SpirleaJapanese people mana endo and the german Barbara Rittner.
Arantxa Sanchez Vicario
individual honor
1
Roland Garros ’89, ’94 and ’98
two
US Open ’94
3
Silver JJ.OO. Atlanta ’96
4
Olympic bronze. Barcelona ’92
5
Finalist Roland Garros ’91, ’95 and ’96
6
Australian Open Finalist ’94 and ’95
7
Wimbledon ’95 and ’96 Finalist
8
number 1 in the world
The Vall d’Hebron Tennis Center witnessed a fratricidal duel that afternoon and an exciting one tactical combat. The good-natured Conchita -so that two years later she won Wimbledon- cleverly tried to catch the slender and particularly talented Arantxa on clay with high balls to avoid the patient control that Sánchez Vicario liked so much. The main principle governing the game of Arantxa, then trained by Gabriel Urpi, is to fight and attack the ball that stayed in the middle of the track.
“Conchita has a different game, she can vary and she likes it. Besides playing you high and deep, she can be good with her forehand and one-handed backhand cut you or lift you. It’s a game of very long points, I know how to have patience to counter high balls and wait for the right moment to attack”, described the Catalan.
Waiting for the American Jennifer Capriati in the semifinals, 7th in the world at age 16 and quarterfinalist that year in the three Grand Slams played to date. A hard court specialist who, more than being muddy on clay, enjoyed the Games of rolling on the clay to dig for gold. With 6-3, 3-6 and 6-1 he pushed Arantxa aside.
“Capriati is more of a hard court player but he played at an amazing level every day, with me he played better than ever on clay. He served very well in the important moments, he supported himself hard with his two-handed backhand and he hit me with his right flat and deep. Of course it hurts me to lose, but, at least, I did it against the Olympic champion, who also beat Steffi Graf in the final”, highlights Sánchez Vicario, praising a Capriati who, in fact, did not end up being so the bruised land, because he added a Roland Garros (2001) in a record with two Australian Open (2001 and 2002), in addition to reaching number 1.
Except for the framed Olympic medals, Arantxa, an altruist rather than a fetishist collector of the past, has almost nothing left. material memory of Games, which are scattered all over the world. “The rackets were exhibited in the Olympic Museum of Barcelona and the International Olympic Museum and, later, I also assigned objects to charities and auctions for people in need”, explained the steadfast Arantxa. For what he has given and given, and how he has given it on and off the track, he has and will continue to the charismatic and popular Arantxa. “Today I dedicate myself to my children… and to receive prizes! It’s amazing how much people still love me after so many years!”
Arantxa now
“Coach a player? That has to come out”
Arantxa lives Miami in this day and age. Right now, and at the age of 51, the most time he has now is taking care of his two children. “What I dedicate myself to now is my children, motherhood comes with responsibility and right now it’s my priority. When I have time I do things related to tennis like conferences”Catalan explained.
Right now, she doesn’t think about training a player the way her friend and former doubles partner Conchita does Garbine Muguruza. “That has to happen. But when I’m involved in something I do it 100% and when it happens it will be like that. I want to pass on my knowledge and, above all, transfer all the experiences of all those. moment I lived,” said Sánchez Vicario.
Source: La Verdad
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
