"I can't leave the property; there are always four or five men outside watching me" - Yannick Noah accused of keeping sister 'captive' amid inheritant feud
Tennis News
Yannick Noah has been accused by his siblings of hiding family inheritance assets. This claim was made by his younger sister who is looking for legal action while claiming that the 65-year-old is keeping her captive in a Cameroon village by Noah.
He was a former professional tennis player, ranked as high as third in the world. He most famously won the 1983 Roland Garros title on home soil as one of the 23 triumphs in his career before going on to alter course and have a period as a singer.
He is still a regular face at tennis events, most notably recently captaining Team Europe at the 2025 Laver Cup which ended in disappointment with Team World completing a solid comeback in San Francisco to seal glory. He is set to take up that role again but this might come under scrutiny with some drama currently occurring in his personal life.
Isabelle Noah unveils troubling family conflict
Noah's younger sibling, Isabelle, claims that he has seized all of their parents' property assets following the death of their dad, former footballer Zacharie Noah, back in 2017. This has also been made alongside her sister, Nathalie, with a huge amount of money being held by the former tennis talent - €4million (£3.8m) to be exact.
Read also
The accusations were soon taken to local courts in Cameroon, who ruled in favour of them, according to their lawyer Maitre Bayebec. "Before he died, Zacharie Noah sold all his land to his son Yannick, which is prohibited by law, as it is a way of disinheriting his other children," he commented. "The court ruled in our favour based on the law, but the opposing party is multiplying its appeals; there is undoubtedly pressure on the judges, and we have not been able to annul the sale."
Speaking to Voici Magazine, Isabella spoke from her viewpoint about the ongoing events, even claiming that she is being held captive in her local village by her older brother.
"He practically has me kidnapped in our village. I'm not locked up, but I can't leave the property; there are always four or five men outside watching me. And since I have no resources, I can't do anything."
She continued: "He stole our inheritance. When our father died, he explained that he was the sole heir. He took everything and proclaimed himself head of our village in Cameroon, deciding that everything belonged to him. It was very complicated. Yannick does whatever he wants in Cameroon. For nine years, he's refused all summonses from the judge, and nothing happens. But in 2023, another judge ruled in our favour, which prompted me to return to Cameroon."
Despite representing France on the big stage, Noah and his siblings has spent a lot of their life living in Africa. He was discovered in Cameroon by none other than Arthur Ashe and taken under his wing to the French Tennis Federation's training center in Nice in 1971.
Their routes to Africa still remain strong, with Isabella making her return to the country. When speaking on the verdict, she explained what happened. "Legally, nothing! The ruling wasn't enforced, and the judge mysteriously disappeared. And since then, as I'm his last opponent, he's doing everything he can to silence me."
The response to the accusations, the Noah family's lawyers have claimed Isabelle suffers from 'serious health problems' and released a statement of their own. "Isabelle Noah voluntarily and temporarily secluded herself for this occasion. She is being fully cared for by her brother Yannick, the head of the family," it read.
Read also

Lucas MichaelTennis Journalist
Lucas Michael is a tennis journalist based in Cambridge, UK, specializing in comprehensive coverage of the ATP and WTA tours. For the past 1.5 years, he has been a core contributor to TennisUpToDate, where he has authored more than 3,000 data-driven match reports, deep-dive analysis pieces, and engaging liveblogs.
Lucas pairs real-time statistical analysis with on-the-ground reporting, frequently traveling to tournaments to cover the action firsthand from the press box and player press conferences. This blend of advanced metrics and direct access allows him to provide sharp context regarding player form, tactical trends, and breaking tour developments.
He holds a BA (Hons) in Sports Journalism. Grounded in core journalistic ethics, Lucas places a strict emphasis on meticulous sourcing, editorial accuracy, and a commitment to updating live content swiftly as verified information emerges.
claps 1visitors 1
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- Vukov is doing this to Lena... AGAIN!!!!! WTA's autonomous collective should be dismantled for allowing Vukov to re-emerge from his hand-slapping suspension. Just ask WTA employees how that's been going lately as they witness his continued verbal abuses. Women's Pro Tennis should start over.
mandoist08-11-2026 - Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??
mandoist08-11-2026 - Wtf? Why is there no reason? And what about the men's?Bel08-11-2026
- One step by another step -- WTA continues to 'lose the plot'. Too many hi-tech microphones being installed at most venues!!! Remove them (especially those along the hallways, sidewalks, and pathways throughout the venues. Not to mention (most of all) remove the mic's from the Players/Coaches Box.
mandoist06-11-2026 - Enough of her bullshit. Go marry someone.
mandoist06-11-2026 - Don't you just love this young lady!? We fans often expect athletes to be supermen and superwomen, often forgetting that they WILL GET TIRED! I love Alex's perspective. Tiredness for an athlete should never be viewed as a negative, especially if you are healthy, taking care of your body and mental health and putting in the work. What a mature perspective. Good for you, Alex!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Jess is absolutely correct! But the disrespect is a trait I have noticed in most of the Russian players. Mirra is good but very immature and lacks humility. Conceivable needs to get a handle on that!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Having spent weeks and weeks through the years on tour, I can say with confidence that Conchita was (is) one of the very few who realize the surprising level of maturity (and sometimes lack of) which Mirra seems to have developed in such a demanding adult world of Pro-Tennis. While at the same time reminding herself (Conchita, that is) that Mirra is still young and developing mentally and physically. The general public may forget at times, or not at all realize, these modern era young athletes do not have a 'normal' Youth. It's a major sacrifice, among countless sacrifices, these athletes must make. People who blow-off that fact are ignorant and unfair when they blurt out, "They choose fame so they have to put up with the intrusions on their lives". No, they do not.
mandoist05-11-2026 - Okay... someone with a camera was EAVESDROPPING on a private conversation. Shouldn't that be the point of discussion here? Regardless of the sensationalist crap by media, Pegula (and anyone) has a right to an opinion. There used to be an expectation that private conversations were respected, regardless of 'stardom' and whatever other defensive excuses media tries to shove in our faces. Boo-hoo if feelings are hurt. BTW: Having been employed at various tourney venues, etc., I can't tell you how nasty and offensive players can be when discussing their opponents and colleagues... in "private". Well, I could, but won't. I also challenge anyone to deny what Jessica said is false.
mandoist05-11-2026 - Vacherot is Mongasque, rather than Swiss. The tournament was Swiss :DTrwd7702-11-2026









