Rika Hiraki, the 1997 French Open mixed doubles champion, was arrested in Japan over her alleged role in an online fraud case from 2022. The former World No. 26 in doubles has denied any involvement in the scam.
Kochi Prefectural Police charged the 54-year-old with conspiring to defraud a woman from Kagoshima Prefecture. The scheme involved a man posing as an orthopedic surgeon on social media who convinced the victim to pay 300,000 yen, or about $1,850, to release compensation money.
Authorities linked the payment to an account in Hiraki's name. She was captured on camera withdrawing funds from the account at an ATM during the transaction. Police also reported additional fraud cases involving a cryptocurrency account under her name.
Hiraki, who now works as an office worker in Shiroi east of Tokyo, said she has no memory of the events. Investigators are examining whether she participated willingly or if her account details were misused by others.
During her career, Hiraki won six WTA titles and more than $852,000 in prize money. She became the first Japanese player to claim a Grand Slam title when she partnered with Mahesh Bhupathi to win the 1997 mixed doubles crown at Roland Garros.