Tennis player Arancha Sánchez-Vicario calls him too a photo shoot for French journalists
December 6, 30 years ago. This is teh day when Hristo Stoichkov realizes that no one will ever take the “Golden Ball” away from him.
In the morning, the famous Spanish tennis player Arancha Sánchez-Vicario calls him, who explains to him that French journalists are waiting for him for an interview and a photo shoot. And Stoichkov left for the nou Camp without knowing what it was all about. According to “France Football”, Hristo and Arancha were at the annual party of “don Balon” magazine the previous evening and the tennis player warned Stoichkov the next day not to appear if he was not wearing a tuxedo. the Bulgarian is very good friends with Emilio – also a tennis legend and Arancha’s brother. Hristo’s reaction was to ask the mother of the tennis players if Arancha had decided to marry him.
During the session, one of the Frenchmen takes the trophy out of his jacket and hands it to him with the words “it’s yours”. At frist, Stoichkov categorically refused to touch him. Though, he was screwed in a rather rude way 2 years before, when they handed the Ballon d’Or to Marco van Basten rather.
After some time, he sees that the name of the winner is even written on the trophy, and it is Hristo Stoichkov. Then he realizes that there is no way silvio Berlusconi or anyone else can take away the most important prize in football. Although the Italians have played in the World Cup final. But then the whole world talked only about bulgaria, which eliminated the champion Germany, and Stoichkov, who won everything with “Barcelona”.
The tennis player became the first outside of Kamata’s family to learn that he had won the award for the best football player in Europe.
Sánchez-Vicario won 14 Grand Slam titles, reaching world No. 1 in both singles and doubles.
The crystalline Bulgarian received recognition
“Hristo is one of the last artists and like any true artist he keeps his soul pure, he keeps his enthusiasm and his habit of nagging, and although he seems careless, his love for the perfect gesture is the same.”
This is what Dimitar Kalkanov, who in 1994 played in a team from Selangor in Malaysia, told France Football.
Stoichkov is a real crystal that the seasons have not been able to scratch. It needs adrenaline to show its natural lightness and jewel-like precision. He needs to “flirt” with some conflict situation in order to use the full power of his muscles and his incredible sprint.
He is an aerial gypsy and a village Slav. A football player with an outstanding left foot,slightly clumsy and rough,with clenched fists,who returns to defense if the attack fails. The atypical Barcelona player does not like to lose.
This “Golden ball” will give him a new sense of self, because lately he has lost control of himself. However, the world of football for a long time did not want to recognize this genius, who at every moment on the field invents new ways to reach the opponent’s goal. With Michel Platini and Diego Maradona, he forms the trio of those who love trajectories. In this pantheon, stoichkov is the man who hides to the last his gesture and the choice whether to pass or shoot.
Don’t you get the impression that from now on the crystalline Stoichkov will less and less clench his fists on the field! He will simply be very happy with his Ballon d’Or, writes Claude le Roi in France Football.
What was teh impact of arancha Sánchez-Vicario on the visibility of female athletes in the 1990s?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Tennis historian Clara Fernandez
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome, Clara! We’re thrilled to have you here today. As we reflect on significant moments in tennis history, I can’t help but think about the impact of players like Arancha Sánchez-Vicario. Can you set the stage for us 30 years ago when she was at the height of her career?
Clara Fernandez (CF): Thank you for having me! Absolutely. December 6, 1993, was a landmark day not just for Arancha but for women’s tennis as a whole.She was already a well-established player,known for her incredible skills on the court as well as her charismatic personality off it.
TNE: Right! She was not just winning matches but also capturing hearts. Can you tell us about that particular photoshoot with French journalists? What was the importance?
CF: Sure! During that period, Arancha was increasingly recognized not just as a competitor but as a brand. The photoshoot symbolized a blending of sports and media, highlighting how athletes were becoming influencers in their own right. It was an possibility to showcase her on a personal level, promoting her image beyond the court.
TNE: That’s fascinating. How did her image contribute to the evolving narrative around women in sports?
CF: Arancha played a fundamental role in breaking stereotypes.Before her and other female athletes of her caliber,women’s sports often received less coverage and support. By engaging in something like a photoshoot and owning her image, she helped to elevate women’s visibility in sports. It sent a message that female athletes could be as glamorous and captivating as their male counterparts.
TNE: That’s a powerful viewpoint. Looking back over the years, how do you think her achievements have influenced the current generation of female tennis players?
CF: Great question! Today’s players like Ashleigh Barty and Naomi Osaka are continuing Arancha’s legacy. They are not only phenomenal athletes but also vocal advocates for social issues. They’ve learned from the past that being visible and vocal in both their sport and personal beliefs can create positive change.
TNE: It’s extraordinary how the sport has evolved. As we commemorate these milestones in tennis,what do you think is the most important lesson we can take from Arancha’s story?
CF: I think the key takeaway is the importance of authenticity and empowerment. Arancha showed that athletes can embrace who they are, not just as competitors but as individuals with stories worth telling.This authenticity resonates with fans and helps to foster a more engaged and supportive following.
TNE: Thank you for sharing such valuable insights, Clara. It’s amazing to consider the ripples of influence that sports figures like Arancha Sánchez-Vicario have had on the landscape of athletics and beyond.
CF: It’s been a pleasure to reflect on her impact with you. Let’s keep celebrating the past while supporting the future of women in sports!
TNE: Absolutely! We look forward to your continued contributions to the discourse around sports and equality. thank you again for joining us today!