American tennis player Sachia Vickery has defended her decision to join subscription platform OnlyFans, saying it was a matter of survival rather than clout.
Vickery, ranked No. 559 in the world, said that the financial strain of life on tour forced her to look for extra income.
“I can tell you, $2 million is absolutely nothing when it comes to tennis. I spent over $100,000 on coaching, fitness, physio, recovery, MRIs – people don’t see that part of it,” she said in an interview with CNN.
“Having a security blanket, something to do on the side and make good money from, doesn’t hurt. It’s given me a lot of financial freedom, even helping me fund my entire tennis career.”
The 29-year-old revealed in a separate interview that she would never have turned to the platform if tennis rewarded players fairly.
Over 14 years on tour, she has earned about Sh271 million ($2.1 million) in prize money.
However, she explained that nearly all of it went back into covering the costs of travel, coaches, accommodation, physiotherapy and other expenses.
“Outside the Top 100,” Vickery said bluntly, “it’s bleak.”
Her turning point came after a shoulder injury sidelined her for six months, leaving her without prize money and unable to compete. The decision to launch an account, she admitted, shocked many fans.
Founded in 2016, OnlyFans allows users to share videos and photos with subscribers. While not exclusively adult, it is widely associated with explicit content.
Vickery stressed that her page does not breach tennis’ code of conduct.
“I have no sexual content on there. I have no nude content. Obviously, I have lingerie content, I have content where I’m really pushing the boundaries, but I’m never fully naked. I’ve never done sex videos,” she said.
The American added that she remains committed to her career and knows where to draw the line.
“I’m just OK where I’m at.”
In an increasingly competitive sports landscape, a growing number of athletes are finding alternative revenue streams through platforms like OnlyFans, echoing Vickery’s story of financial precarity.
Among them is former NFL wide receiver Antonio Williams, who made headlines for a similar career pivot.
Williams, who played for the Buffalo Bills, explained that the platform offered a way to earn a steady income and provide for his family—something his NFL career, despite its prestige, didn’t guarantee long-term.
Australian gymnast Olivia Vivian, a two-time Olympian, also joined OnlyFans to help fund her training and travel costs.
She spoke openly about the financial struggles faced by athletes in non-lucrative sports, where prize money and sponsorships are scarce.