LONDON (AP) The legendary German tennis player Boris Becker was released from London bankruptcy court on Wednesday after a judge determined that he had paid creditors tens of millions of pounds by “doing all that he reasonably could do.”
Despite Becker’s significant failure to pay his creditors the approximately 50 million pounds ($62.5 million) he owed, Chief Insolvency and Companies Court Judge Nicholas Briggs stated that, considering Becker’s efforts, it would be “perverse” to continue the case.
“Mr. Becker clearly falls on the right side of the line on the spectrum of bankrupts who range from ‘difficult as possible and doing everything to frustrate the trustee’s inquiries’ to ‘co-operative, providing information and delivering up assets,'” Briggs said.
Becker, 56, was declared bankrupt in 2017 and spent eight months in a London prison for transferring huge sums of money illegally and concealing assets worth 2.5 million pounds ($3.1 million). Two years ago, he was deported to Germany.
Four accusations under the Insolvency Act, including removal of property, hiding debt, and two instances of failing to disclose estate, had led to his conviction in a London court. He was found not guilty on 25 other counts, which included nine counts of neglecting to give bankruptcy trustees his Olympic gold medal and Grand Slam trophies.
He was given a 2 1/2 year prison term, but because of a policy that expedites the deportation of foreign nationals, he was freed early.
At the age of seventeen, Becker made history in 1985 by becoming the first player to win the Wimbledon singles championship without a seed. After winning two titles at Wimbledon, two at the Australian Open, and one at the U.S. Open, he went on to become the top player in the world.
After ending his career as a professional tennis player in 1999, he went on to work as a coach, investor, television pundit, and famous poker player.
Becker’s financial troubles, which included declaring bankruptcy after owing creditors about 50 million pounds ($62.5 million) over an outstanding loan of more than 3 million pounds ($3.75 million) on his estate in Mallorca, Spain, were attributed to indolence and poor advise.
During a High Court hearing last month, attorney Katie Longstaff stated that although the joint trustees did not oppose his attempt to dismiss the lawsuit, they did not support it because he was still due around 42 million pounds ($52.5 million).
The two parties have struck a settlement, according to Becker’s attorney Louis Doyle, which includes a “substantial sum” that the tennis legend is required to pay. Doyle added that Becker “can’t do more than he has done to bring us to this point” and that the agreement “includes the outstanding trophies.”
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