American tennis professional Sachia Vickery, aged 30, is presently engaged in the qualifying rounds for the U.S. Open, a tournament in which the ultimate victor is entitled to prize money exceeding $5 million. Notwithstanding her current competitive endeavors, Ms. Vickery has independently acknowledged alternative sources of substantial personal income.
According to her own representations, the athlete has publicly stated that she “no longer dates for free.”
Currently ranked No. 559 in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) standings, Ms. Vickery marked her return to competitive play on Tuesday—her first professional match since February—by defeating Anastasiya Soboleva in the opening round of U.S. Open qualifying.
In parallel, Ms. Vickery has identified and pursued other activities, distinct from her participation in professional tennis, which have proven financially advantageous. These endeavors, by her own admission, diverge considerably from the traditions and established expectations of tennis, a sport often associated with exclusivity and adherence to particular standards of decorum.
The athlete, whose social media biography prominently features the phrase “God First,” has established a profitable parallel vocation apart from her professional tennis career. Specifically, Ms. Vickery has engaged in the sale of intimate visual content and has further instituted a policy of requiring monetary consideration from individuals who seek to pursue personal engagements with her.
Earlier this year, Ms. Vickery joined the subscription-based content platform OnlyFans, publicly disclosing the development through her verified Instagram account. In an announcement that surprised many of her followers, she posted: “Tennis anyone? OF link in my bio. Big project and features coming soon (p.s. happy Valentine’s Day),” accompanied by a suggestive image depicting her in attire that deviated from conventional tennis apparel.
Under the terms of her OnlyFans subscription, currently priced at $12.99 per month, Ms. Vickery offers subscribers exclusive access to material she herself characterizes as “too spicy for Instagram.” Her profile identifies her as “your favorite pro tennis player” and advertises content such as extended shower videos, striptease performances, and other adult-oriented imagery.
Financially, Ms. Vickery has accrued approximately $2 million in earnings over the course of her 14-year professional tennis career. Beyond athletic competition, she has implemented a requirement whereby prospective suitors must remit a $1,000 deposit prior to any personal interaction. In a recent Instagram Q&A session, she stated to her 39,400 followers: “I no longer date for free. Due to the behavior of men, I now require a pre-date deposit. Send me $1,000 and we can make it happen. My CashApp is $Sachiavick.”
This unconventional business model has provoked sharp criticism from segments of the tennis community and public observers. One commentator, for example, disparagingly remarked: “Who is going to take Sachia Vickery on a date—or even pay to do so—when she has allowed men to see her naked for less than the price of a Happy Meal?”
Despite such criticism, Ms. Vickery has remained steadfast, previously declaring that she regards herself as a revolutionary figure intent on challenging established norms.
In a recorded appearance on the Black Spin Global podcast earlier this year, Ms. Vickery articulated her personal philosophy, stating:
“I’ve always pushed boundaries. I’ve always been outspoken about the racial abuse I encounter online, as well as issues of body shaming. I am very open regarding a wide range of subjects. While I continue to actively compete in professional tennis, I also intend to cultivate opportunities outside the sport, particularly through social media.”
With respect to her participation on the subscription platform OnlyFans, Ms. Vickery distinguished between varying levels of content produced by public figures. She remarked:
“Obviously there are levels to OnlyFans. You have athletes such as Nick Kyrgios and Alex Muller, who post primarily tennis-related material, and then there is the other complete extreme, which I am not. I fall within a middle ground. I established my account in January, and it immediately gained traction. Being a tennis player certainly enhanced my marketing. I do not engage in the most extreme forms of content, but I share material consistent with my level of comfort. Financially, it has been extremely successful for me.”
Ms. Vickery acknowledged public scrutiny, but emphasized her pragmatic approach:
“Negative feedback is inevitable. In life, whatever one does, there will always be criticism. If I were inactive, I would still be criticized. Therefore, I might as well utilize the platform and generate income while doing so.”
Upon resuming competition at the US Open in Flushing Meadows, Ms. Vickery again addressed her detractors, stating during an Instagram Q&A session:
“I am very open-minded, and I do not concern myself with public opinion. It is, quite frankly, the easiest income I have ever earned, and I enjoy the work. I will never disparage other women on OnlyFans again for the rest of my life, because the amount I earned within the first two days was overwhelming. I was shocked.”
By way of background, Ms. Vickery is the daughter of Rawle Vickery, a former soccer player, and her brother Dominique Mitchell competed in collegiate football at South Carolina State University. She turned professional in 2011 following her training with the United States Tennis Association and the Mouratoglou Academy in France. Her career apex occurred in 2018, when she achieved a career-high Women’s Tennis Association ranking of World No. 73.#newsafro_
