Sanchez-Vicario Revives Berlin Memories

Sanchez-Vicario Revives Berlin Memories
Wed May 7, 2003 12:39 PM ET
BERLIN (Reuters) - Former world number one Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario revived fond German Open memories on Wednesday when she paid a visit to a tournament she played 12 times and won in 1995.
"It's good to be back here," said the Spaniard, appearing at a WTA Tour event for the first time since announcing her retirement last November.

"I haven't been doing very much," added the 31-year-old, who won 29 singles titles including four grand slams in a career spanning over 15 years.

"I decided to take a year off and enjoy myself doing things I didn't have time to do when I was playing, like skiing and horse riding."

Sanchez-Vicario was honored by officials from the tournament and the WTA during a ceremony on the center court where she fought several classic battles with German great Steffi Graf, who defeated her in the 1991 and 1992 finals here.

"I have received a lot of offers to continue working in tennis but I won't make a decision until the end of the year," she said when asked about her future plans.

"To retire was not an easy decision to make but I'm glad I made it. I can look back and be proud of the things I have achieved. It was great but life without tennis is great, too."

Thanks for posting this, "tIl09" -- I looked lots of places and I couldn't find anywhere what Arantxa had said -- sorry more people here weren't interested, but again I *totally* appreciate this post -- thanks so much! :)

still weird that 92 final went exactly like french 99 (well the score then) steffi even changed the match with the same point at the same point. :D

Theres that "year" thing again. Is she contemplating making a return, Maybe to doubles?

Theres that "year" thing again. Is she contemplating making a return, Maybe to doubles?

I sure hope so Jason! She was still SO very good at it! But yea thanks for posting the article!! :)

I think she could become in the worlds top 5 doubles players if she chooses a great partner. Who would y'all suggest? Maybe the legendary team of ASV/Rubin or a few tourneys with Seles or even maybe ASV/Hantuchova again?

Theres that "year" thing again. Is she contemplating making a return, maybe to doubles?

You know, Jason, that *no one* would be happier than me if she did return. especially as a doubles specialist a la MartinaReal. But in truth I don't think that's what she means (this from talking to her in Belgium last December). I *think* she means she is literally going to "vacation" for a good 10-12 months (as she said, 'horseback ride and ski' -- and then maybe accept one of the offers she has had.

God-knows, I hope I am totally wrong here!

Thanks for this article:D

LOL Marsha, I hope you ARE wrong.;) Anyways, what else what she do?

She's had some offers to be a Tournament Director (I think in Germany was one), to coach the Spanish Fed Cup Team, to somehow work with the Spanish and/or International Olympic Committees, and of course to be a "private" coach (esp. at Emilio's Academy!)

And Pedro Almadovar (that sweetie! did you see the great speech he gave at the Academy Awards?) still wants her to act in one of his movies! *LOL* (she said she "didn't think so")

I think she could become in the worlds top 5 doubles players if she chooses a great partner. Who would y'all suggest? Maybe the legendary team of ASV/Rubin or a few tourneys with Seles or even maybe ASV/Hantuchova again?

Let the woman retire.

ARANTXA!!!!!! :sad: :sad: :sad: what a waste...for me...i never got to see you play LIVE...at least come and play doubles in Toronto...

Nice to be back with memmories.... :D