Tennis player turned businessman Ion Țiriac is one of the richest tennis players in the world. Țiriac is 82 years old and was born in Romania. He was not only a respected player on the tennis court but also a well-respected mentor off it. He did not limit his sporting ambitions to just tennis. Țiriac also played ice hockey, making regular appearances for Romania’s nationalice hockey team.
Țiriac continued to play tennis for fifteen years, during which he took part in three Davis Cup finals. He is known to have been a wholehearted sportsperson. His journey from an athlete and a coach to becoming one of the richest-ever persons to play tennis is intriguing. Today, Țiriac’s net worth, according to Forbes, is US$1.6bn. In 2010, he was also the richest man in Romania. According to a report by Celebrity Net Worth, he was also dubbed to be the richest sportsperson in December 2014. Venturing into business after his life in tennis pushed Țiriac up the charts in terms of the wealthiest sportspersons in the world.
Tennis Career
Prior to becoming one of the richest sportspersons through a life in business, Țiriac was a seasoned doubles player. In comparison to his billions today, Țiriac put together a few million while he was on tour during the 1960s and the 1970s. One of his most significant accomplishments on the court came when he took the French Open doubles title in 1970. He teamed up with fellow Romanian Ilie Năstase to beat an all-American side in the final of the tournament. All in all, Țiriac put together 27 titles in his illustrious career, most of which came playing doubles. His usual partners included Năstase and Argentinian Guillermo Vilas.
In terms of singles titles, Țiriac won just five, the most prominent of which came in the International Tennis Championship in Munich. His singles career in Grand Slam tournaments did not see much success. His best campaigns came during the 1968 French Open when he reached the quarter-finals of the tournament. Apart from this feat, Țiriac reached the quarter-finals on two occasions at Wimbledon.
Țiriac also made the Top 10 ATP players’ ranking at one point in his career, making him a serious player in the circuit. After his retirement in 1970, he took up coaching and coached some incredible players, including Marat Safin and Boris Becker. After his coaching stint, Țiriac took to business to become one of the richest sportspersons ever.
Țiriac becoming one of the richest tennis players ever
Soon after his retirement and stint as a coach, Țiriac took to business and investments. His commercial success came early through TV commercials, wherein he was praised for his humorous qualities. Post the fall of communism in Romania, the Ion Țiriac Bank was founded by the former tennis player in 1990. This was Țiriac’s first real surge into the business side of things. His bank was also the first private bank set up in Romania after the fall of communism in the country. His achievements in the sector also include being the first-ever Romanian to appear on the Forbes list of billionaires.
Apart from success in the industry, Țiriac has also shown a passion for car collections and has a stellar one of his own. He also has a vast collection of motorcycles to go along with it. His collection includes cars and motorcycles consisting of more than 400 models, including cars once owned by famous personalities like Sir Elton John and Al Capone.
Ion Țiriac has had more than a career in sport. Although he will be fondly remembered for his contribution to tennis and ice hockey, his legacy extends to the empire he has built all by himself. He stands as a successful businessman, player, and coach.
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