Sachia Vickery never pictured herself building a second career on OnlyFans. But after a shoulder injury sidelined her for six months, the 29-year-old American player found herself in need of cash. Tennis, despite its glossy image, isn’t cheap.
Her highest ranking was No. 73 back in 2018. Today she’s outside the top 500. Career earnings of $2.1 million look good on paper, but Vickery says the reality is different. “I can tell you, $2 million is absolutely nothing when it comes to tennis,” she told CNN. “I spent over $100,000 on coaching, fitness, physio, recovery, MRIs – people don’t see that part of it.”
OnlyFans, she says, gave her a safety net. Within three months, she’d cleared six figures – more than she made at some of the sport’s biggest tournaments. “It’s given me a lot of financial freedom, even helping me fund my entire tennis career,” she said.
The platform, founded in 2016, has become a lucrative outlet for athletes in sports where sponsorship and prize money don’t cover expenses. Canadian pole vaulter Alysha Newman, MMA fighter Paige VanZant, and basketballer Liz Cambage all say they earned more on OnlyFans than in competition.
Tennis isn’t immune. French pro Alexandre Müller is sponsored by the site, posting mostly about his training. Australian Arina Rodionova joined earlier this year, insisting “no nudes.” Nick Kyrgios has partnered with the platform to produce content, even co-hosting a show with adult star Rachel Starr.
Vickery, though, has leaned further in. She won’t disclose exactly what she’s made, but admits the numbers are climbing. For a player grinding outside the top ranks, OnlyFans has become less of a scandal and more of a survival strategy.
Last modified: September 5, 2025
