German tennis legend Boris Becker has been discharged from bankruptcy court in London after a judge ruled that he had made significant efforts to repay his creditors. Despite falling short of repaying nearly 50 million pounds ($62.5 million) he owed, Chief Insolvency and Companies Court Judge Nicholas Briggs acknowledged Becker's cooperation and willingness to work towards resolving his financial obligations.
Becker, aged 56, was deported to Germany following an 8-month prison sentence in London for illicitly transferring funds and concealing assets after being declared bankrupt in 2017. He faced charges under the Insolvency Act, including removal of property, concealing debt, and failure to disclose estate, resulting in a prison sentence of 2 1/2 years.
Known for his remarkable tennis career, Becker rose to fame in 1985 as the youngest Wimbledon singles champion at the age of 17. Throughout his career, he achieved the world No. 1 ranking and secured multiple Grand Slam titles, including two Wimbledon, two Australian Open, and one U.S. Open victories.
Following his retirement from professional tennis in 1999, Becker pursued various endeavors such as coaching, television commentary, investing, and celebrity poker playing. He attributed his financial struggles to laziness and poor advice, leading to bankruptcy due to an unpaid loan on his estate in Mallorca, Spain.
During a recent High Court hearing, Becker's lawyer revealed that a settlement had been reached with the joint trustees, requiring Becker to make a substantial payment towards his outstanding debt. The agreement also includes the return of Becker's trophies, resolving a significant portion of his financial obligations.
