Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario: Fighter, Survivor, Champion

By Caroline Burnet and Caroline Harding

Professional tennis player Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario may lack the power and pace of her opponents, but anyone who claims she lacks a weapon is clearly overlooking her heart. Throughout her accomplished career, noted for its longevity and consistency, she has proven her unmatched determination is as potent as any crosscourt forehand or serve in the game. While her tremendous hustle and fight is obvious to any tennis enthusiast, anyone outside of the sport can recognize, appreciate, and be inspired by the Spaniard's indefatigable will to win. Always considered not big enough, not strong enough, not aggressive enough, she always finds a way to battle through. Possessing a perpetual positive attitude and inner source of confidence, she truly believes she can win until the last point against her has been played. With the generous off court character to match, she is an inspiration in every sense of the word. Here is someone who has shown what is possible with just sheer effort, sheer will. Her story is an empowering source of strength and a lesson in dedication and persistence.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Nov 10, 2000
• ISBN: 9781469721576

Caroline Burnet

Caroline Burnet is currently studying architecture at Georgia Institute of Technology in the United States. Caroline Harding is majoring in Hispanic Studies at the University of Liverpool in England. Both are longtime supporters of Arantxa, having been inspired by her indomitable spirit and relentless will to succeed.

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All Rights Reserved © 2000 by Caroline Burnet and Caroline Harding

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or by any information storage retrieval system, without the permission in writing from the publisher.

Writers Club Press an imprint of iUniverse.com, Inc.

For information address: iUniverse.com, Inc. 5220 S 16th, Ste. 200 Lincoln, NE 68512 www.iuniverse.com

ISBN: 0-595-14695-3

ISBN: 978-1-469-72157-6 (ebook)

Contents

Dedication

Epigraph

Preface

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Epilogue

Afterword

About the Authors

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C

Appendix D

Appendix E

Notes

Dedication

For Arantxa, for your undeniable determination and fight, your unmatched desire to succeed, and your undying passion for the game. Always considered not fast enough, not strong enough, and not aggressive enough, you have persevered and given me a reason to believe. You unknowingly have taught me to ‘surrender never’ and have shown me that with hard work and persistence, anything is possible. You have helped me discover the strength within myself, and for that I will always be grateful, and you will always be my inspiration. Thank you.

—Caroline Burnet

To my parents for all the encouragement they have given me throughout the past two years of research and writing; to Caroline Burnet for keeping my sights firmly set on completing this project and for putting up with my sometimes infuriating writing habits! And finally to Arantxa, herself, for all the inspiration that she has unknowingly given me in all I do, and the dedication that she has instilled in me through following the example she sets daily on the courts.

—Caroline Harding

Epigraph

If a win comes it’s great, but if not, I have to keep going.

—Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario, 1997

Practicing at the 1999 Australian Open Photograph by Stacey Sullivan

Practicing at the 1999 Australian Open Photograph by Stacey Sullivan

Playing at the 1999 Canadian Open Photograph by Terry Hoffer

Playing at the 1999 Canadian Open Photograph by Terry Hoffer

Playing doubles with Amelie Mauresmo at the 2000 Wimbledon Championships

Photograph by Caroline Burnet

Practicing at the 2000 Wimbledon Championships Photograph by Caroline Burnet

Playing at the 2000 Wimbledon Championships Photograph by Caroline Burnet

Playing at the 2000 Wimbledon Championships Photograph by Caroline Burnet

Preface

A Tribute to Arantxa by Caroline Burnet

Though not having the most titles or even the most wins—you’re the truest competitor to ever play the game.

This is said with certainty

for greatness cannot be measured

by the number of trophies raised overhead,

but by the passion and persistence shown daily on the court.

You may lack power or pace, but those only make winners—it’s your heart, your desire, that makes you a champion.

You somehow run down every ball, your legs covering numerous miles; and though compact, you represent an imposing force, a backboard.

Your opponent thinks they’ve hit a winner, but you do the impossible: get it back.

They’re frustrated; you win the point with just sheer effort, sheer will.

Your focus and concentration is maintained through each game, each shot; your tenacity and guile likewise never waver.

And even when you’re down and just points from defeat, when your forehand has crumbled, your mind refuses to let go.

You somehow dig deeper within yourself and find a way to keep fighting; something all athletes would admire, but few can achieve.

Often you clench victory from the brink of defeat; but if you do succumb, there is always the assurance that it wasn’t without a fight.

But that fire in your eyes—that inextinguishable fire—only says you will be back, and ready to do battle again.

You are a fighter, a survivor, a champion-so I am confident you will

face and overcome

every obstacle you meet in life.

It is for this fight, this relentless will to succeed, that you will forever be my inspiration, my idol, my hero.

Acknowledgements

We would like to extend our thanks to those others who helped make this literary effort possible. Though our sources of help, guidance, and inspiration are too numerous to mention, we would be remiss not to note a specific few. First we would like to thank Diya Mitra, who initially put this crazy idea of writing a biography in our heads. While forgiving her inherent flaw of being a Steffi Graf fan, we appreciate her foresight. We would also like to thank the media for creating the hype surrounding the ‘kiddie corps’ of tennis while virtually ignoring our beloved Arantxa throughout her career. No matter how much we hate them for it, we must admit it was the perfect motivation to write this book and finally give the Spaniard her due. And we cannot thank our fellow Arantxa fans enough for all of their help during our exhaustive research and writing process. The two of us handled the grand majority of the detective work, but we had a handful of fellow fans to turn to when we needed facts corroborated or sources to locate. A special thanks to Kristi Odom, Terry Hoffer, and Stacey Sullivan who graciously allowed us to include their photographs. And lastly, we owe a ton of thanks to Arantxa herself. If it were not for the determination she has unknowingly established in both of us, this book would never have been completed. There were countless times during the two years we worked on this that the task seemed too overwhelming, but we thought of Arantxa, and kept writing. It is only because of her that you are reading these words today.

Introduction

During the 1995 Federation Cup competition, when the French coach was asked if he thought Arantxa would lose her number one ranking, he curtly replied, ‘For her to lose her ranking, someone has to beat her, and that’s like taking a bone away from a bulldog.’ It was an amusing, though incredibly accurate response that would foreshadow the rest of her career. This same fight with which she would defend her top ranking would also be the same fight with which she would win grand slams and struggle through difficult slumps.

Through all her unbelievable achievements and trying defeats, Arantxa is undeniably a warrior who wages a battle each time she sets foot on the court. And while her defensive scrambling style is often denounced, no one can refute her tenacious determination and desire to win. Here is someone who has shown what is possible with just sheer effort, sheer will. The consummate underdog, she always finds a way to overcome adversity and succeed. Her story is an empowering source of strength and a lesson in dedication and persistence.

In reading this candid chronicle of her career, we cannot help but feel you will be touched by Arantxa’s spirit and fortitude. In her numerous years on the professional women’s tennis tour, she fought through it all with the courage and strength only a champion could have. It is this constant fight and indomitable spirit we hope to emphasize in this biography of her career.

In the years we have followed her tennis, she has unknowingly impacted our lives. Her determination has offered us incredible motivation to find the strength and resilience within ourselves, making us better individuals as a result. Presenting her with this manuscript at the 2000 Wimbledon Championships was an incredibly unique and rewarding opportunity to thank her for her unequaled influence on our lives. But we would be remiss not to share her story with others. If our book can cause just one other person to be similarly affected and benefited, we feel we will have done our job.

In a game dominated today by the big, powerful hitters, it is unfortunate this scrappy veteran continues to find herself overshadowed. For all Arantxa has accomplished both on and off the court and for all she has to offer, she is long overdue for the spotlight, and we hope to be that light’s source.

Chapter One

The Early Years

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On December 18, 1971 Arantxa Isabel Maria Sanchez was born into a family of sports enthusiasts in the city of Barcelona, the capital of the autonomous region of Catalonia, and one of the wealthiest cities in Spain. Barcelona, situated on the northeast coast of the country, just a short drive from the Pyranees Mountains which separate Spain from France, is the home of the main base of the Spanish tennis federation.

Having had three children; Marisa, Emilio Jr., and Javier, Arantxa’s mother was told that she could have no more. However, as the story goes, after Marisa rode a roller coaster at the famous amusement park in Barcelona, she miraculously became pregnant. Feeling it was indeed

a gift from heaven, the couple decided to name their fourth child Arantxa (pronounced ah-RAHN-cha), a variation on the name of the Basque saint Aranzazu.

Arantxa’s name, unusual to start with, has seen many variations during her career. It is sometimes seen to be spelt ‘Arancha’ in Spanish newspapers, as Arantxa is her local Catalan spelling, whereas Arancha is the Castillian spelling of the name. After starting her career as Arantxa Sanchez, she later added her mother’s maiden name, as Spanish children often do, to honor her mother. She would begin using both in the tennis world after she won her first grand slam title to give credit to her mother and also, as Sanchez is a popular Spanish surname, to distinguish herself from the other Sanchez’s in Spain. Later she would decide to hyphenate her surname so that in the future if she decided to get married and have children, they would take on Sanchez-Vicario as their mother’s maiden name if they so chose, instead of simply Sanchez. Her eccentric name certainly intrigued some tennis fans and made them take notice. In fact, upon hearing that a track coach at a Boston university named his daughter ‘Arantxa’ after the Spaniard, the tennis star jokingly replied, Well now that makes two of us [with the name]!¹

Her parents, Marisa Vicario a teacher, and Emilio Sanchez an industrial engineer, had always been interested in sports, so they channeled their children’s energies that way too. To begin with, they all swam, something at which they were all good, but their mother thought it seemed boring. She felt they should take up skiing, he thought tennis.

Before the family had moved to Barcelona, they belonged to a tennis club in Pamplona to socialize. And one day, deciding that they missed the tennis club, Arantxa’s parents joined the club in Barcelona. While thinking about what sport, besides swimming, the children could be good at, their father realized that tennis was becoming popular. As a result, the children changed from swimming to tennis, a move that would forever change their lives.

All the children came to have an affinity for tennis. Though only three would play professionally; the lesser known Marisa played in college. In fact, once when a visitor remarked to Emilio Sr., You must be very proud to have three accomplished tennis players as children, he replied, Gracias, pero tengo cuatro (Thank you, but I have four).²

Marisa began to play when she was nine, but chose to study business administration in the United States, where she played tennis for Pepperdine University. She would decide to work for Spanish TV as a sports reporter, and later would work for a finance company, instead of turning professional like the rest of her siblings.

Emilio as it turned out, made the right choice in leaving swimming for tennis, as he went on to be considered as one of Spain’s greatest male players of his time. During his career, he would win grand slam titles in both men’s doubles and mixed doubles in the French and U.S. Opens. And together with Javier, he represented Spain in Davis Cup competition. Emilio was in fact such a good doubles player that Pam Shriver remembers, Martina [Navratilova] and I actually fought over Emilio [in 1987]. He hits the dippiest topspin around, which is impossible for most of the girls to deal with. Plus, he’s got the curveball kick serve. Then again, there’s that face. Emilio is awfully cute.³

The zealous Emilio certainly enjoyed his life off court as well. In 1988, the L.A. Times ran a story about how Emilio, in the space of just a few hours, crashed an L.A. press conference to kiss actress Heather Locklear and an awards ceremony to kiss actress Linda Evans! And in 1992, he was even named to People Magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People list. Later both Emilio and Javier would clash with their longtime coach Willie ‘Pato’ Alvarez over their preference for night life over training. Javier said of Alvarez, He like too much the tennis. It’s all there is in his life, I think.⁴

Emilio was Javier’s role model when they were growing up, and early in their careers they decided to play the same tournaments so as to have an immediate support group. This is a fact which some feel may have hindered Javier, the junior world number one player of 1986, from developing his natural hard court game to its full potential. But nevertheless the family remains very close, and as Javier quickly points out, This is the only way for all of us. ⁵

Arantxa, being the youngest of all four children grew up surrounded by tennis, something which she has acknowledged as a key factor. Yes, my liking [for tennis] came from the family. I think that before I held a doll, I held a racket. I began to play when I was four.⁶ She received this first racket from the ‘Reyes Magos,’ who in Spain traditionally take the place of Santa Claus and ride through the streets on camels leaving presents for the children.

Her first racket, a Slazenger, was given to her to keep her out of the way. She was always crawling onto the court, always getting in the way, ⁷ remembers her mother. Arantxa never played with dolls, says Emilio. Slazenger was her closest friend.⁸ Apparently ‘Slazie’ went everywhere with her, be it to the playground, to the dinner table, or on family outings. She and Slazenger would play for hours against the wall of the country club to which her family belonged, games which Arantxa says they always won! By the age of eight she would have another constant companion, her ballholder, for which she would become known for during her career.

Though at first her parents did not think she would be any good, they were soon surprised by her talents. To begin with my parents didn’t think I would play well, but when they got me on the court and they saw I got all the balls back on the first bounce, they took it seriously, and joined me in the tennis school and club of Barcelona,⁹ Arantxa later said.

From then on Arantxa’s love of tennis grew as she trained hard to develop her game at the ‘Escuela y Club de Tenis’ in Barcelona, and later spent some time at a German tennis school, The Marbella College Hofsass, in Marbella, in the south of Spain.

This school was situated in the mountains on the outskirts of the city where there is clean air, and the heat is some seven or eight degrees lower than that of the coast. Thus the location was suitably conducive for concentration and intensive training.

There, Arantxa practiced for many hours under the supervision of her coach, Eric Van Harpen, and developed her skills. Then in October of 1985, at the tender age of thirteen, she became the youngest ever Spanish National Champion, just three months after she had won the Junior National Championships in Alicante.

However, tennis is not the only thing in Arantxa’s life, which she is quick to point out. As a child she wanted to be a doctor or a lawyer. She has always stressed that after she stops playing tennis she intends to continue her academic studies with an emphasis on languages, of which she is already amazingly fluent in six: Spanish, Catalan, English, German, French and Italian. I am a good student, and I know that tennis and studies are sometimes incompatible. I intend to do both things, she says. However, I realize that I like tennis more than books.¹⁰

Off the court Arantxa likes to be with her friends, having fun and not talking about tennis. Later in her career, Arantxa would also enjoy the company of her boyfriend Joan Vehils, a Spanish journalist. To take her mind off the game, she is an avid reader and enjoys playing cards while travelling. Arantxa also likes water skiing and playing soccer and golf, as well as watching horror movies and comedies. I like Rob Lowe, admits Arantxa. Although Tom Cruise is my favorite actor, and Jane Fonda, and Robert Redford.¹¹

In the tennis world her idols while growing up were Chris Evert, her brother Emilio because he’s so steady and my brother, Jimmy Conners because his game is spectacular, and later on Stefan Edberg because he’s cute!¹²

Intelligent, friendly, and bubbly are words often used to describe the Spanish star, who has a reputation for being one of the most approachable and cooperative players on tour, for media and fans alike. In the words of Chris Evert, Can anyone imagine this girl ever being jaded, or isolating herself? Arantxa inhales life.¹³ Early in her career, in her developing English, Arantxa similarly described herself by saying, No matter what, I always smiley. I don’t want to be so controlled that I won’t let anything in. If you don’t let things in, nothing touches you. When you’re like that you lose some of the spirit that makes you want to go out and play.¹⁴ In fact, a Spanish journalist seemed to sum her up best when remarking, Arantxa always smiles. She is never sad. She is a little hurricane full of sincerity.¹⁵

Such an outgoing personality has led Arantxa to take part in several benevolent functions. During her career, she would become the celebrity chairperson of the Children’s Cancer Research in Spain as well as a fundraiser for Enriqueta vilavecechia for terminally ill children in Spain. Also in her home country, she would get herself actively involved in the Fundacion privada de lucha contra el SIDA, an organization fighting against AIDS, as well as Fundacion CEFAES, an organization which helps physically handicapped children. In addition, she takes part in special fundraising events for the Hospital Infantil San Juan de Dios, a childrens’ hospital in her home city of Barcelona, and she has also established Fundacion Sanchez-Vicario, helping towards the costs of travel and equipment for children who would otherwise not be able to afford to train in sport. Outside of Spain, Arantxa takes part in the F.I.R.S.T. Serve school program with the WTA, which aims to show tennis players as role models for children. She is furthermore actively involved with the Special Olympics by spending time with the athletes and participating in tennis clinics, as well as involving herself in local tournament charities. She admits that, I have been very fortunate in my life and when I can make a positive difference in the lives of others, especially children, it is very rewarding for me.¹⁶

However, on the court Arantxa’s demeanor is far different and far more intense. As she has said before, she does not like to lose, not even a board game. When playing, Arantxa is a true competitor, If I can beat my opponents 6-0, 6-0, I don’t think that it is a humiliation for them. 17 And there is no doubt she loves to win, whether it is against one of her rivals, or even her sister. The day I beat my sister, Marisa, it was great. She was so angry! She didn’t speak to me for two days. None of us likes to lose. I have always admired my sister, and Chris Evert. Therefore when I had beaten both of them it was too much for me.¹⁸

Possessing such a will to win, Arantxa is very disciplined in her training, I am not Martina Navratilova. My tennis is different, and so I know that my base must be work. Without a good preparation, and a healthy style of life, I wouldn’t have been able to get where I am.¹⁹ And on the court her effort is obvious, and second to none. Often times it appears as if she is trying twice as hard as her opponent, outwilling her to victory. It is thus Arantxa’s courage, gritty determination, and never-say-die attitude that go a long way towards getting her out of seemingly impossible situations. So often turning adversity into triumph has helped her gain many loyal fans and supporters over the years.

But some players have criticized Arantxa’s habit of pointing out opponents’ balls on close line calls, a personification of her intense, competitive nature. Pam Shriver seems to have said it best when she remarked, That pointing stuff gets annoying. But more power to her. Arantxa loves to intimidate, and her aura can be scary out there. Inch for inch, I think she gets more out of her game than any competi-tor.²⁰ In describing her own game Arantxa says, I wait, and the opposition of me exhausts herself with aggression. She must then do things my way.²¹

Ted Tinling perhaps captured the essence of her dual nature most accurately when he once stated, Arantxa is absolutely wonderful. She is feisty, and fiery, and laughs back at the public when she misses an easy shot. But beneath all the fun and giggles, she’s a lion!²²

And of course, all these wonderful attributes have led to Arantxa’s wide assortment of nicknames, with ‘The Lion’ being just one of them. She has also been called ‘The Rabbit’, a tag hung on her by coach Juan

Nunez. He was inspired by the ballholder she always wears that is reminiscent of a cottontail, as well as her slyness which reminded him of Bugs Bunny. Arantxa has even been known to carry a stuffed Bugs Bunny along with her on the circuit. Furthermore, she has been dubbed ‘The Cockroach’ after the saying that if a nuclear bomb goes off, all that will be left when the smoke clears are cockroaches. One could easily imagine Arantxa still hanging around, running from sideline to sideline. But perhaps the nickname by which she is most well known is ‘The Barcelona Bumblebee,’ a true tribute to her tremendous speed given to her by tennis historian Bud Collins.

Though Arantxa has had more coaches than nicknames, Emilio is always the one to whom Arantxa will turn in a difficult moment, because He knows my game best.²³ Emilio, in return, offers high praise for his younger sister, Of all of us, Arantxa is the one who has the best conditions to play tennis. Her game is intuitive, intelligent, fresh. She always knows what to do in a difficult moment in a match.²⁴

In that final of the Spanish national championships, back in 1985, despite her young age, Arantxa impressed many people by displaying even then her temperament, her genius, and her breeding to claim the title. After the win, her coach told her that if what she wanted was to be the Spanish champion then she had achieved it. But if what she wanted was to be ranked within the world’s top fifteen one day, then she had a very hard future ahead of her.

Though in 1985 people saw that she could have a great career ahead of her, no one could have foreseen that Arantxa would rise through the rankings, achieving many firsts for Spanish tennis along the way, to finally become ten years later, the first ever Spaniard to hold the number one ranking in women’s tennis.

In fact the three Sanchez siblings, together with Conchita Martinez, would go on to have a profound impact upon Spanish tennis. Not only did they themselves achieve remarkable feats, but they also inspired a new generation of players. This was particularly important, as before the emergence of the Sanchez family in the mid-eighties, Spanish tennis had been suffering a decline since the 1970’s.

Carlos Moya, who would later have a short spell atop the men’s world rankings, was one such player who has admitted to being inspired by their achievements. In an article in 1999 he told of how he remembered the day that Arantxa won her first grand slam title, It was a great day for the people in Spain. Graf was already so big, so nobody expected [Arantxa] to win. He also recalled how that victory inspired him to work at his tennis and to believe that he too could win a major one day, I think she’s been one of the greatest sportswomen ever in Spain. What she has done is amazing. She always gives 100 percent for her tennis, fighting so much.²⁵

Rising female Spanish star Magui Serna also talks of the ongoing influence, I train to be like Arantxa and Conchita, she says. They are always there for you. They are always talking to you when you have bad moments and when you have good moments. They always try to help me when I need help.²⁶

But in June of 1985 Arantxa, having turned professional at just thirteen years of age, was only beginning the long climb to the top of her sport. With a headband securing her hair into place, the trademark ballholder fastened to the back of her skirt, and solidly muscular legs prepared to run down every ball, Arantxa was ready to stamp her mark on the international world of professional tennis.

Chapter Two

On the Road to Success

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After having competed in only one professional event, Arantxa played her first full year on the professional circuit in 1986. In Barcelona in June of 1985, Arantxa had lost in the first round of the qualifying event to Andrea Holikova 3-6,1-6. With her first tournament under her belt, and armed with an inexhaustible spirit, Arantxa was now seeking her first career win.

In April her season was to begin in Italy, where her hopes were quickly ended as she lost in the first round of the singles to Moos 3-6,16. The inexperienced youngster fared no better in doubles, where Lechner and Pollet proved too strong for the team of Sanchez and Devries, defeating the pair 7-6,6-3.

Playing for the second time in her hometown of Barcelona, this time in May, she made it all the way to the semifinals, recording her first three professional wins in succession. She defeated Schropp and Byrne in straight sets before coming through a tough quarterfinal against Nathalie Herreman. She gave us a glimpse of her fighting spirit to come back from a first set loss and take the match 5-7, 7-6 (7-4), 75. In the semifinals, however, Petra Huber proved too strong for her, as she went down 0-6, 6-2, 4-6. Still, even in this loss, she had demonstrated to the world that despite her relative inexperience on the tour, she was already able to bounce back from losing a set to the demoralizing score of 0-6. It was evidence that at such a young age, she possessed the ability to continue believing in herself and get back into the match, no matter the score.

In the doubles, Arantxa and Foltz also fared well, defeating Isabelle Demongeot and Nathalie Tauziat 6-2, 7-6 (7-3), before falling in the quarterfinals 3-6, 6-4, 2-6. Not bad results for someone playing in only her third career tournament!

At the European Open, however, Arantxa’s run of luck seemed to have come to an end, as she fell hard in the second round to Terry Phelps 1-6, 0-6. Neither was Arantxa to find success in her next three tournaments. Trying to play in her first career grand slam event, she suffered a loss in the first round of the French Open qualifying to Ivanna Madruga-Osses. This was followed up by first round losses in both the Italian Open and Bregenz, to Laura Garrone and Judith

Weisner respectively. Out of her last four events, Arantxa only competed in doubles at the Italian Open. There, she and her partner lost out in the first round 6-4, 4-6, 0-6 to Dinu and Schropp.

Making her Fed Cup debut in Prague at the age of just fourteen, Arantxa looked to put these early losses behind her, as she set out to do her best for her country. After coming through 7-6 (7-2), 6-3 over Suzanna Wibowo, she found world number one Martina Navratilova far too strong, losing out 3-6, 0-6. Despite the fact that Martina was already thirty years old, she had had her latest run as world number one since November 25, 1985, and thus there was no shame in losing to arguably the best female tennis player of all time, playing at somewhere near her peak. In the first round of the doubles paired with Almansa, the duo fell 5-7,4-6, to Suzanna Wibowo and Yayuk Basuki.

Despite her round of 16 loss to Isabel Cueto in the singles in the ancient Greek capital city of Athens, Arantxa was to find success in the doubles. This time with Cueto on the same side of the net, the pair advanced to the semifinals losing just ten games. And after pulling through a tough match against Olsson and O’Neil 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 Arantxa found herself in her first ever final as a professional player. There, against Meier and Probst, the Sanchez/Cueto team bounced back from a 4-6 first set loss to take the second 6-2, and then edged to victory by taking the final set 6-4. And so, in her eighth professional tournament, and only her fifth professional doubles event, Arantxa had won her first career title! It was a truly remarkable feat for the young fourteen-year-old Spaniard.

In Taipei, Arantxa suffered a slight setback after her great run in Athens, losing in the first round of both the singles and doubles, where Cueto had again partnered her. Still struggling in her next two tournaments in Japan and Singapore, she lost each time in the second round of the singles, and the first round of the doubles with Cueto.

At the Brazilian Open Arantxa suddenly seemed to find her way again. She crushed Diesner before