Tennis
Boris Becker is accused of hiding and not handing over his assets to pay his debts
Six-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker “acted dishonestly” when he failed to hand over nine trophies and medals, including two Wimbledon titles, from his tennis career to pay off his debts.
Six-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker “acted dishonestly” when he failed to hand over nine trophies and medals, including two Wimbledon titles, from his tennis career to pay off his debts.
The former German tennis player was declared bankrupt in 2017. The court said at the time that there were no reliable guarantees of repayment of the debt. Becker borrowed £3.5 million to buy a property in Mallorca.
He is now accused of hiding or failing to hand over assets before and after his bankruptcy. He is on trial at Southwark Crown Court on 24 counts of the charge under the Insolvency Act for the period May to October 2017.
Prosecutor Rebecca Chalkley said the assets include trophies such as the men’s singles title from Wimbledon in 1985 and 1989, trophies from the Australian Open in 1991 and 1996 and an Olympic gold medal from 1992.
The former world number one is also accused of concealing 1.13 million euros (around £950,000) from the sale of a Mercedes car dealership he owned in Germany.
He also allegedly failed to declare two German properties, as well as his interest in a flat in Chelsea, west London, and hid a bank loan of 825,000 euros (nearly £700,000).
Becker, who is being tried on bail, denies all 24 charges, including nine counts of failing to deliver trophies and other valuations, seven counts of concealing assets, five counts of failing to disclose assets, two counts of taking property and one count of concealing a debt.
during his successful career, he managed to make over $25 million in prize money alone. Millions more were collected from advertising or coaching and commentating. In total, it is estimated that he earned around 150 million euros, but lost most of it through bad investments.
Sources