Boris Becker has to go to court - the facts

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Boris Becker: The ex-tennis professional faces up to seven years in prison

Photo: Aaron Chown / dpa

Nowadays tennis legend Boris Becker hits mostly negative headlines - especially when it comes to his private and business life.

Becker's insolvency proceedings have been going on for years, now the 52-year-old has to go to another court hearing in his adopted country of Great Britain.

This Thursday he has to appear before Southwark Crown Court in

What is the current court date about?

The insolvency authorities accuse Becker once again of not having cooperated in his proceedings.

She is now conducting criminal investigations against the 52-year-old.

A London court referred the case to Southwark Crown Court in September.

The preliminary hearing of Becker is now taking place there, in which he will probably defend himself against the allegations.

Specifically, in 19 cases he was accused of failing to provide information to the insolvency authorities.

On Twitter, he wrote at the end of September: "I deny the allegations against myself and will defend myself with all legal means!"

His team will prove his innocence in due course.

What is known about Becker's bankruptcy proceedings?

Becker was declared insolvent by a UK court in 2017.

In fact, bankruptcy proceedings in the country can be completed after just one year.

In the Becker case, however, it had been extended after the insolvency administrator had complained that the former tennis professional had withheld information from him.

In the summer of 2019, some of Becker's trophies were forcibly auctioned off - a total of 82 memorabilia such as trophies, medals and watches changed hands in an online auction.

In addition, the insolvency requirements against Becker were extended by twelve years last year - because he is said to have not reported transactions properly.

Accordingly, he must submit to certain restrictions in Great Britain by 2031 - for example, it is more difficult for him to get a loan of more than 500 pounds.

How has Becker commented on the allegations so far?

Becker kept asserting that he was not broke.

He also denied the charge that he withheld information.

His German media lawyer Christian-Oliver Moser told SPIEGEL last year that Becker had not "embezzled or concealed" any assets from the insolvency administrator.

He stated that these assets - "which, in his opinion, are not due to him at all" - merely stated too late.

A little later, Becker himself spoke of a "delayed flow of information in insolvency proceedings".

What punishment could Becker receive?

If convicted, the former tennis professional faces up to seven years in prison, reported the Guardian and Sky News in September.

How has Becker positioned himself professionally since the end of his tennis career?

Becker ended his active career in 1999 and has worked in various areas since then.

For several years, the Wimbledon winner was Novak Djokovic's coach.

Today Becker is a recognized TV expert and works for Eurosport, among others.

At the German Tennis Federation, he has been responsible for top-class men's sport since 2017 as "Head of Men's Tennis".

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