Tennis legend Becker is declared bankrupt
FORMER Wimbledon champion Boris Becker was declared bankrupt yesterday over his substantial debts.
A judge said the star, whom she remembered watching play on Centre Court, appeared to be “burying his head in the sand” over his money problems.
Registrar Christine Derrett told the High Court in London that she was making the bankruptcy order because she was “not persuaded” that his “substantial debts” would be paid off soon.
Becker, 49, a TV pundit and coach, was not in court for the hearing. No details were released about the amount he owes.
Assets
The bankruptcy application was made by private bankers Arbuthnot Latham & Co in connection with a judgment debt – an amount awarded by a court – dated in 2015.
Becker had wanted a 28-day adjournment so he could set up a refinancing deal, involving remortgaging a property in Mallorca, which was expected to raise about £5.2million so he could start “tackling” his debts.
But Matthew Abraham, for Arbuthnot Latham, said the case had already been put off after an initial hearing on April 28. He said there was no “credible” evidence the package would materialise.
Miss Derrett said she was “not persuaded that the evidence before me can be described as credible”. She also said there was “no evidence of other personal assets sufficient to discharge the debt”. She added: “I’m afraid that I do not agree to the request for an adjournment. I am therefore satisfied that the necessary papers are in order and I make this bankruptcy order.”
John Briggs, his barrister, told the court the Becker was “not a sophisticated person when it comes to finances” and added that he works as a commentator. Miss Derrett said: “I know exactly who he is. I remember watching him play at Centre Court many years ago, which probably shows my age.” Mr Briggs said the bankruptcy order might affect Becker’s global image but the judge replied: “He should have thought of that a long time ago.”
Becker won three Wimbledon men’s titles, the first at 17 in 1985, and is now part of the BBC’s commentary team for Wimbledon.
He is married to Dutch model Lilly, with whom he has a son.
He has three children from previous relationships.