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Former tennis star Boris Becker in London: "shocked" and "ashamed"
Photo: ANDY RAIN/EPA
Former tennis star Boris Becker has been on trial in London for a week for delaying bankruptcy.
On Monday he opened up about his personal fortunes - and what they have meant for his life in the spotlight.
According to Becker, he was "shocked" and "ashamed" when he became insolvent in June 2017.
Just a few days before the Wimbledon tournament, the British judiciary announced his bankruptcy.
Becker recalled before the jury in Southwark Crown Court that he was supposed to comment for the BBC as well as Australian and Japanese television stations.
“As you can imagine, I was shocked.
Because it was reported around the world.
And I walked through the Wimbledon goal and everyone knew it," said the 54-year-old, who spoke mostly English.
"I was ashamed because I was broke." At that time he also had a "stressful time" with his then-wife Lilly Becker, they lived in different areas of their apartment building in Wimbledon.
Significant damage to the »Becker brand«
The six-time Grand Slam winner said that the negative reporting about his bankruptcy had damaged the “Becker brand”.
As a result, he had trouble earning enough money to pay off his debts.
The 54-year-old explained that he was trying to pay off a $3.9 million loan.
“It's very difficult when you're broke and you're in the headlines every week for it.
It's very difficult to make a lot of money with my name," said the former world number one.
Becker faces 24 counts of delay in bankruptcy at Southwark Crown Court.
In addition to withholding his trophies in nine cases, these include concealing real estate, shares and bank balances.
In addition, Becker is said to have transferred large sums to the accounts of his ex-wives Barbara and Lilly Becker.
The 54-year-old rejects the allegations made against him.
If convicted, the Londoner-by-choice faces up to seven years in prison.
ala/dpa/sid
