German tennis legend Boris Becker leaves Westminster Magistrates Court in central London after being declared bankrupt and accused of failing to comply with disclosure obligations on September 24, 2020 (Photo Tolga AKMEN/AFP) )
Former Wimbledon champion Boris Becker told a London court he felt “shocked” and “embarrassed” after being declared bankrupt just days before the 2017 tournament at the All England Club.
The six-time Grand Slam champion said negative publicity has damaged “the Becker brand” and left him struggling to make ends meet.
Becker was declared bankrupt in June 2017 and is currently on trial on charges of failing to deliver assets including nine titles and medals from his glittering tennis career.
The 54-year-old German said he was looking to repay a loan of more than £3 million ($3.9 million) from private bank Arbuthnot Latham, including the sale of his property in Spain. Dental.
The court heard the bankruptcy judgment was made a few days before Wimbledon, where Becker is working for the BBC as well as Australian and Japanese broadcasters.
“As you can imagine, I was shocked by the truth. Because it was news all over the world, and I walked through the gates of Wimbledon and everybody knew. I feel ashamed that I am bankrupt,” Becker said.
He told jurors that the bankruptcy was also in the midst of a “tense time” with then his wife Sharlely “Lilly” Becker, while they were living in the “separate quarters” of his rented house in Wimbledon.
Describing an incident while commenting on a men’s quarter-final involving Roger Federer, he said: “My son called me to say my wife was tearing down the house – furniture, windows. The police arrived… while I was at the scene. ”
Becker, who arrived in court with partner Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro, sat at the witness box Monday to give evidence.
He said he has faced damaging publicity “all over the world”, but especially in Germany and the UK, this has affected his ability to earn money.
“It’s very difficult when you’re broke and you’re in the news every week about it. It is very difficult to make a lot of money with my name,” he said.
The former world number one, who is occasionally helped by a German interpreter to give evidence, has denied 24 charges under the Bankruptcy Act.
These include nine counts of failing to deliver titles and other awards, seven counts of concealing property, five counts of failing to disclose estate, two counts of hoarding property and one count of concealing debt.
He allegedly failed to award nine titles, including two of three Wimbledon men’s singles titles, an Olympic gold medal, the 1991 and 1996 Australian Open titles and the Davis Cup title and gold bronze.
BUT RELATED STORY
Get the hottest sports news straight to your inbox
Continue reading
Registration INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer and more than 70 other titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to news, download as early as 4am and share media articles society. Call 896 6000.
For feedback, complaints or enquiries, Contact us.
