1-04-2000

ARANTXA SANCHEZ-VICARIO WINS FAMILY CIRCLE / HORMEL FOODS "PLAYER WHO MAKES A DIFFERENCE" AWARD

Winner of 13 Grand Slam titles and 1996 Family Circle Cup champion Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario was named today as winner of the ninth annual Family Circle/ Hormel Foods "Player Who Makes A Difference" award. She received the award for her outstanding efforts toward charitable causes.

Throughout her 14-year career on the Sanex WTA Tour, Sanchez-Vicario has given so much of her time off the court to help create awareness and financial support for many worthwhile organizations.

"For more than a decade Arantxa has been a tremendous spokesperson for women's professional tennis," says Susan Kelliher Ungaro, Editor-in-Chief of Family Circle magazine. "Her reputation for never giving up on the court has made her career a memorable one. She has also demonstrated that same drive when it comes to helping those less fortunate. We are pleased to be able to recognize those efforts through this award."

When traveling on the Sanex WTA Tour, Arantxa has given her time on numerous occasions to support local tournament charities. She donates her time throughout the year to Special Olympics by spending time with the athletes and participating in tennis clinics. Currently she serves as a spokesperson for the Sanex WTA Tour's F.I.R.S.T. Serve school program. This grassroots' program is aimed at presenting women tennis players as role models for success to children while increasing and strengthening the popularity of tennis.

In her native country of Spain, Arantxa is actively involved with a number of foundations. Her deep love of children makes her commitment to these causes very important. The first is Fundacion Villavechia, which has as its main goal to improve the quality of life for oncology children. She also helps Fundacion Privada de Lucha contra el SIDA, a private foundation that fights against AIDS. Another organization that benefits from Arantxa's support is Fundacion CEFAES, which helps physically handicapped children. The children's hospital in Barcelona (Hospital Infantil San Juan de Dios) is another organization that Arantxa has been involved with for many years and supports their efforts through special events that raises money for the hospital.

Arantxa has decided to use the $20,000 grant money to help fund the efforts of Foundation Sanchez-Vicario, which her family created in 1994. The main goal of Foundation Sanchez-Vicario is to help young children in Spain who do not have the economic means to pursue a career in professional sports. The foundation assists children with some of the expenses associated with becoming a professional athlete like coaching, equipment, facilities, etc

"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," stated Sanchez-Vicario. "I am honored to received this award in the spirit that it is given."

The Family Circle Cup, celebrating 28 years in women's professional tennis, boasts a purse of over one million dollars. One of the longest running, richest and most popular events in women's tennis, the Cup has traditionally attracted the world's outstanding female tennis players for more than 27 years. This year's Grand Slam field includes the 2000 Australian Open champion Lindsay Davenport, the reigning U.S. Open champion Serena Williams, nine-time Grand Slam winner Monica Seles, former Australian Open champ Mary Pierce, three-time French Open champion Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario and 1994 Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez.

Congrats to both Arantxa and Juan!!

Thanks C, for this piece of news :-)