Tennis legend Boris Becker declared bankrupt
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Three-time Wimbledon champion Boris Becker was declared bankrupt by a London court today after failing to pay a debt that has been outstanding since 2015. The German requested the court to give him one last chance to settle the outstanding debt and not be labelled bankrupt.
The Bankruptcy application was submitted by private bankers Arbuthnot Latham & Co., as reported by the Telegraph, whom Becker owed a long-outstanding debt. However, the German's lawyers had countered the application with a refinancing arrangement that would have involved Becker's island in Majorca remortgaged for approximately six million euros.
The lawyer further requested the court to adjourn the case for a month which was the time span required for the deal to be approved by a Spanish bank.
"I don't want to play around in court. It is clearly in the interests (of Arbuthnot Latham) for there to be refinancing," Becker's advocate said.
When the registrar was informed about who Becker was she stated, "I remember watching him play on Centre Court, which probably shows my age."
Becker's advocate then stated that a person with Becker's demeanour would not benefit from being declared bankrupt as it would tarnish his image. However, the judge did not soften her
"It is not often the case that a professional person has a judgment (debt) outstanding against them since October 2015. This is a historic debt. One has the impression of a man with his head in the sand."
Becker's lawyer countered the argument saying,"He is not a sophisticated individual when it comes to finances,"
"He is not a sophisticated individual when it comes to finances. I
However, as it stands Registrar Christine Derrett dismissed Becker's plea and declared him bankrupt stating, "I make this bankruptcy order at 11.23am."
Becker became the youngest ever player to win Wimbledon at 17 years of age in 1985. He finished his career with 49 singles titles and 15 doubles titles that also included a gold medal in the Olympics.
