Court declares Becker bankrupt

– Former German tennis star Boris Becker has been declared bankrupt by a court in London after failing to pay a “substantial” long-standing debt since 2015.

Laywers for the three-time Wimbledon champion pleaded with a Bankruptcy Court registrar yesterday to allow Becker a “last chance” to pay off the debt. But Registrar Christine Derrett ruled there was a lack of credible evidence the outstanding payment would be forthcoming and refused to adjourn the case.

“One has the impression of a man with his head in the sand,” she said of the six-time Grand Slam winner after making the bankruptcy order following a brief hearing.

The German’s lawyers had argued there was sufficient evidence to show that he would be able to pay the debt soon through a refinancing arrangement. – AFP