Trophies won by tennis star Boris Becker were auctioned off for £700,000 ($925,000) to pay his debts, a court has heard.
The six-time Grand Slam victor, 54, is accused of failing to hand over nine other awards, including two of his three Wimbledon men’s singles trophies and an Olympic gold medal, after he was declared bankrupt in June 2017.
Southwark Crown Court was told on Thursday that the former Wimbledon champion was “frustrated” with the ongoing bankruptcy process.
He also felt he was “badly treated” by private bank Arbuthnot Latham, which initiated proceedings after incurring a debt of more than £3 million over a loan on his estate in Mallorca, Spain — part of which was subject to a 25 per cent yearly interest rate.
Trustee Mark Ford — one of those attempting to recover Becker’s assets — said he had a “tense” relationship with the sports star, who became “emotional” when talking about trophies he said he no longer controlled.
The jury heard that in one conversation with Mr Ford, the tennis star said: “Mark, do you think, bearing in mind I am now facing criminal charges relating to these trophies, that if I had access to them, I wouldn’t have given them to you?”
Becker’s barrister Jonathan Laidlaw QC explained the trophies players are allowed to keep are miniature versions of those presented on court, showing jurors his 1986 President’s Cup replica.
He said the trophy was given by Becker to his mother, along with his Wimbledon title from the same year, and neither are included in the charges he faces.
The court has heard how other memorabilia taken from Becker, and his mother’s German home, was sold off to pay his debts.
“There was an auction which realised something like £700,000,” said Mr Laidlaw.
Becker, who won 49 singles titles in 77 finals in 16 years, denies 24 charges under the Insolvency Act.
They include nine counts of failing to hand over trophies and other awards, seven of concealing property, five of failing to disclose estate, two of removal of property and one of concealing debt.
As well as failing to offer up memorabilia including his 1991 and 1996 Australian Open trophies and his Davis Cup trophy and gold coin, Becker is accused of hiding €1.13 million (about £950,000/$1.3 million) from the sale of a Mercedes car dealership he owned in Germany.
The money is said to have been paid into his Boris Becker Private Office Ltd business account, which he used as a “piggy bank” to pay personal expenses, such as his children’s school fees, the court was told.
Becker is accused of transferring hundreds of thousands of pounds to other accounts, including those of his ex-wife Barbara Becker and estranged wife Sharlely “Lilly” Becker.
He also allegedly failed to declare two German properties, as well as his interest in a £2.25 million flat in Chelsea, West London occupied by his daughter Anna Ermakova, and hid an €825,000 (about £950,000/$1.3 million) bank loan as well as shares in a tech firm.
The court heard that Becker, who is being supported in court by his partner Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro, has a previous conviction for tax evasion and attempted tax evasion in Germany in 2002.
The trial continues.
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Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
Favourite dish: Grilled fish
Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Women’s World T20, Asia Qualifier, in Bangkok
UAE fixtures Mon Nov 20, v China; Tue Nov 21, v Thailand; Thu Nov 23, v Nepal; Fri Nov 24, v Hong Kong; Sun Nov 26, v Malaysia; Mon Nov 27, Final
(The winners will progress to the Global Qualifier)
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1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
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Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
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The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
The Programme
Saturday, October 26: ‘The Time That Remains’ (2009) by Elia Suleiman
Saturday, November 2: ‘Beginners’ (2010) by Mike Mills
Saturday, November 16: ‘Finding Vivian Maier’ (2013) by John Maloof and Charlie Siskel
Tuesday, November 26: ‘All the President’s Men’ (1976) by Alan J Pakula
Saturday, December 7: ‘Timbuktu’ (2014) by Abderrahmane Sissako
Saturday, December 21: ‘Rams’ (2015) by Grimur Hakonarson
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
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Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
