Boris Becker was once one of the most dominant figures in professional tennis. A global superstar, Becker earned over $25 million in prize money alone, not including endorsements, sponsorships, and post-career opportunities that often far exceed tournament winnings. Yet, despite decades of elite earnings, Becker was declared bankrupt by a London court after failing to repay a long-standing debt dating back to October 2015.
In the bankruptcy proceedings, Becker’s legal team requested additional time—just one more month—to allow Becker to complete a refinancing of property he owned in Majorca. That refinancing, according to reports, could have generated more than $6 million, enough to satisfy the outstanding obligation. The court, however, was not persuaded.
The presiding judge described the debt as “historic” and declined to delay the ruling, signaling that Becker had already been given sufficient time to resolve the matter.
In a move that drew widespread attention, Becker’s lawyer argued that his client’s financial troubles were not the result of bad faith, but rather a lack of financial sophistication:
“He is not a sophisticated individual when it comes to finances. I am asking for a real last chance for Mr. Becker to come good… It has just taken longer than anticipated.”
The court was unmoved.
Becker quickly took to social media to defend himself, stating that he was surprised by the proceedings and that he, in fact, had the means to repay the debt. However, as bankruptcy law makes clear, having assets is not the same as having liquidity, and courts—and creditors—are rarely patient once deadlines have passed.
Becker’s fall is particularly striking given his extraordinary athletic achievements. The German tennis icon won six Grand Slam singles titles, including a historic Wimbledon victory in 1985 at just 17 years old, making him the youngest men’s champion in the tournament’s history.
After retiring from professional play, Becker remained deeply involved in the sport. Most notably, he served as Novak Djokovic's head coach for three years, a partnership that helped Djokovic secure multiple Grand Slam titles before ending in late 2016.
Unfortunately, Becker’s bankruptcy was not an isolated incident. He has faced serious financial issues before. In 2001, Becker reportedly owed more than $7 million in back taxes to German authorities. That same year, his divorce from his wife Barbara reportedly cost him around $10 million, in addition to the loss of the couple’s $2 million home on Florida’s Fisher Island.
Over time, legal fees, tax liabilities, personal obligations, and delayed financial decisions compounded—illustrating how even substantial lifetime earnings can erode quickly without disciplined planning and compliance.