Boris Becker: the process in London has begun – the tennis legend faces up to seven years in prison

Created: 2022-03-21Updated: 2022-03-21 2:37 PM

Boris Becker has to answer to a court in England.

The process of delaying insolvency has begun - all developments in the news ticker.

London – Tennis legend Boris Becker appeared in court in London on Monday to answer for delaying bankruptcy.

The 54-year-old arrived at Southwark Crown Court in the British capital this morning with his girlfriend Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro.

The public prosecutor accuses Becker of embezzling assets and not complying with information obligations in insolvency proceedings in his adopted home of Great Britain.

Boris Becker: tennis legend in London in court

A bankruptcy court in London had declared the three-time Wimbledon winner insolvent in June 2017 because of outstanding debts.

At the time, his outstanding debts were estimated at up to £50 million (€59 million).

In 24 charges, Becker is now accused of having withheld several trophies in the insolvency proceedings, including the trophy for a first Wimbledon victory in 1985. He is also said to have kept real estate, shares and bank balances secret and large sums in his ex-wives' accounts, among other things Barbara and Lilly Becker have transferred.

A preliminary hearing dealt, among other things, with an apartment in London's posh Chelsea district and two properties in Germany that Becker is said to have not properly registered.

Boris Becker accompanied by Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro.

© James Manning/PA Wire/dp

Boris Becker: Process for delaying insolvency

After the bankruptcy, more than 80 items belonging to Becker were auctioned until July 2019.

These included trophies, tennis rackets, photos, watches and a “Bambi” from the tennis star.

However, some important trophies were missing from the foreclosure sale and could not be found.

Part of Becker's debts were settled with the proceeds of around 765,000 euros.

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He is accused of partially hiding assets and not handing over trophies in his bankruptcy proceedings.

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The process of delaying bankruptcy was supposed to start in September, but was postponed because Becker changed his team of lawyers.

He was "glad that the process is finally starting and the court will make a judgment," Becker told the "Bild am Sonntag".

"The last five years have been damn long, the hardest of my life."

Boris Becker pleaded "not guilty" in October 2020

Becker rejects the allegations against him.

At a court hearing in October 2020, he had pleaded not guilty to all charges.

His attorney at the time said Becker was determined to quash the allegations and restore his reputation.

In the process, which is expected to last three weeks, Becker will use an interpreter - although according to his lawyer his English is "very good".

The tennis star, who won six Grand Slam tournaments in his sports career, has repeatedly had legal difficulties over financial matters.

The Spanish judiciary targeted Becker for debts related to his villa in Mallorca.

The Swiss judiciary accused him of not having paid the pastor who married him in 2009.

In 2002, a court in Munich sentenced Becker to a two-year suspended prison sentence and a fine of €500,000 for tax evasion of around €1.7 million.

This process, as well as the malice over several failed relationships of the sports star, contributed to the fact that "Bumm-Bumm-Boris"'s relationship with his home country Germany cooled down and he chose London as his place of residence.