Boris Franz Becker is a German former world No. 1 tennis player, best known for his powerful serve and volley game. He is the youngest-ever winner of the Wimbledon Championships gentlemen's singles title, having won it at age 17 in 1985. Throughout his career, Becker won 64 titles, including six Grand Slam singles titles (three Wimbledon Championships, two Australian Opens, and one US Open), 13 Masters titles, three year-end championships, and an Olympic gold medal in doubles in 1992. He also led Germany to consecutive Davis Cup victories in 1988 and 1989.
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November 1967: Birth of Boris Becker
Boris Franz Becker was born in November 1967 in Leimen, Germany.
1967: Early Life and Family Background
Boris Becker was born in 1967 in Leimen, Germany to Elvira and Karl-Heinz Becker. His father, an architect, built the tennis center where Becker learned to play.
1972: Rod Laver and Ken Rosewall's Epic Match
Sports Illustrated ranked the 1972 WCT Finals final between Rod Laver and Ken Rosewall as one of the best matches ever played.
1974: Joining TC Blau-Weiß Leimen Tennis Club
Boris Becker joined the TC Blau-Weiß Leimen tennis club and began training under Boris Breskvar in 1974.
1977: Joining the Baden Tennis Association Junior Team
Becker became a member of the Baden Tennis Association's junior team in 1977. He went on to win the South German championship and the first German Youth Tennis Tournament.
1978: Selection to German Tennis Federation's Top Junior Team
In 1978, Becker was chosen for the German Tennis Federation's top junior team by Richard Schönborn.
1980: Björn Borg and John McEnroe's Memorable Wimbledon Final
The 1980 Wimbledon final between Björn Borg and John McEnroe is considered one of the best matches ever played.
1981: Inclusion in the German Tennis Federation's First Men's Team
Boris Becker was included in the German Tennis Federation's first men's team in 1981.
1982: Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships Doubles Victory
Boris Becker won the doubles title at the Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships in 1982.
1984: Turning Professional and First Doubles Title
Boris Becker turned professional in 1984, guided by coach Günther Bosch and manager Ion Ţiriac. He won his first professional doubles title that year in Munich.
1985: Wimbledon Victory and Youngest Champion
At 17, Boris Becker became the youngest-ever winner of the Wimbledon Championships in 1985, defeating Kevin Curren. He was also the first unseeded player and first German to achieve this.
1985: First Top-Level Singles Title
In 1985, before his Wimbledon victory, Becker won his first top-level singles title at Queen's Club.
1986: Successful Wimbledon Title Defense
Boris Becker successfully defended his Wimbledon title in 1986, defeating Ivan Lendl in the final.
1987: Early Wimbledon Exit and Historic Davis Cup Match
In 1987, Becker lost in the second round of Wimbledon to Peter Doohan. However, he participated in one of the longest matches in tennis history during the Davis Cup, winning a match that lasted 6 hours and 22 minutes against John McEnroe.
1987: Fined for Outbursts at Australian Open
Becker was fined $2000 for multiple outbursts during the Australian Open, highlighting his emotional on-court demeanor.
1987: French Open Semifinal
Becker reached the semifinals of the French Open, marking one of his best performances in the tournament.
1988: Multiple Tournament Wins
Becker had a successful year in 1988, winning the Masters/ATP Tour World Championships and the WCT Finals.
1988: Relationship with Karen Schultz
Boris Becker was in a relationship with Karen Schultz from 1988 to 1991.
1988: Wimbledon Final and Start of Edberg Rivalry
Boris Becker's match against Stefan Edberg in the 1988 Wimbledon final, which he lost, marked the beginning of their rivalry.
1989: Multiple Grand Slam Wins and Player of the Year Recognition
1989 was a momentous year for Becker as he won two Grand Slam singles titles - Wimbledon and the US Open. He was named Player of the Year by the ATP Tour.
1989: French Open Semifinal
Becker reached the semifinals of the French Open for the second time in his career.
1989: World Team Cup Victory
Becker was part of the German team that won the World Team Cup.
1989: Auctioning of 1989 US Open Trophy
Becker's trophy from the 1989 US Open was among the items auctioned.
1989: Player of the Year Recognition by ATP and ITF
Boris Becker was voted Player of the Year by both the ATP and the ITF in 1989.
1989: Michael Chang Breaks Youngest Grand Slam Champion Record
Michael Chang broke Becker's record for the youngest male Grand Slam singles champion in 1989 when he won the French Open at the age of 17 years and 110 days.
1990: Wimbledon Final Loss to Edberg
Boris Becker lost the 1990 Wimbledon final to Stefan Edberg in a five-set match.
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1991: Relationships with Karen Schultz and Cassandra Hepburn
Boris Becker's relationship with Karen Schultz ended in 1991, the same year he began a relationship with Cassandra Hepburn.
1991: Reaching Number One Ranking and Australian Open Final
Boris Becker reached the final of the Australian Open for the first time in 1991, where he defeated Ivan Lendl to claim the world No. 1 ranking.
1991: French Open Semifinal
Becker reached the semifinals of the French Open for the third time, showcasing his consistent performance in the tournament.
1992: Olympic Gold Medal in Doubles
Becker partnered with Michael Stich to win the Olympic gold medal in men's doubles, showcasing his skillset on clay courts.
1992: Masters/ATP Tour World Championships Win
Becker won the Masters / ATP Tour World Championships for the second time in his career.
1992: Seven Tour Titles and ATP Tour World Championship Victory
Boris Becker won seven tour titles in 1992, including the ATP Tour World Championship, where he defeated Jim Courier in the final.
1992: Olympic Gold Medal in Doubles
Boris Becker won the Olympic gold medal in men's doubles with Michael Stich at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
1992: End of Relationship with Cassandra Hepburn
Boris Becker's relationship with Cassandra Hepburn ended in 1992.
1992: Olympic Gold in Doubles Despite Rivalry
Despite their fierce rivalry, Becker and Michael Stich teamed up to win the men's doubles gold medal at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.
December 1993: Marriage to Barbara Feltus
Boris Becker married Barbara Feltus in December 1993 in his hometown of Leimen, Germany. Feltus was eight months pregnant at the time of the wedding.
1993: Personal and Professional Challenges
By 1993, Becker's personal life, including his relationship with Barbara Feltus and tax problems, contributed to a decline in his tennis career.
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January 1994: Birth of Son, Noah Gabriel
Boris Becker's first son, Noah Gabriel, was born in January 1994. He was named after Becker's friends Yannick Noah and Peter Gabriel.
1995: Wimbledon Final and ATP Tour World Championship Win
In 1995, despite a decline in his performance, Becker reached the Wimbledon final for the seventh time, where he was defeated by Pete Sampras. However, he concluded the year by winning his third and final ATP Tour World Championship title in Frankfurt.
1995: Monte Carlo Open Final
In 1995, Becker came close to winning a clay-court tournament, leading by two sets in the Monte Carlo Open final, but ultimately lost.
1995: Monte Carlo Open Doubles Final
Despite his struggles on clay in singles, Becker reached the final of the Monte Carlo Open in doubles, almost securing a victory.
1995: Masters/ATP Tour World Championships Win
Becker won the Masters / ATP Tour World Championships for the third time.
October 1996: Victory and Defeat Against Sampras
October 1996 saw Becker triumph over Sampras in the Stuttgart Masters final, but he lost to him again in a close final at the ATP Tour World Championships.
December 1996: Tax Investigation Begins
A criminal investigation was launched into Becker's tax affairs in December 1996 while he was still an active tennis player.
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1996: Grand Slam Cup Victory
Becker added another title to his name by winning the Grand Slam Cup.
1996: Sixth Grand Slam Title and Wrist Injury
Becker secured his sixth and final Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in 1996. Despite high hopes for Wimbledon, he had to withdraw due to a wrist injury during a third-round match.
1997: Wimbledon Vow
In 1997, after losing to Sampras in the Wimbledon quarterfinals, Becker vowed never to play at Wimbledon again.
1998: World Team Cup Victory
Becker was again part of the winning German team at the World Team Cup.
September 1999: Birth of Son, Elias Balthasar
Boris Becker's second son, Elias Balthasar, was born in September 1999.
1999: Scandal and Divorce
Becker's autobiography detailed a 1999 sexual encounter that contributed to his divorce.
1999: Sexual Encounter with Angela Ermakova
Boris Becker's daughter, Anna, was conceived in 1999 during a sexual encounter with Angela Ermakova.
1999: Final Wimbledon Appearance
Breaking his previous vow, Becker played at Wimbledon one last time in 1999, losing in the fourth round to Patrick Rafter.
December 2000: Separation from Barbara
Boris Becker and his wife, Barbara, separated in December 2000. Barbara filed for divorce and sought custody of their children.
2000: Sportgate.de Launch and Partnership
In 2000, Boris Becker partnered with Pixelpark AG to launch Sportgate.de, a German sports website.
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2000: Becomes Owner of Völkl Tennis Division
Transitioning into a new role, Becker became the principal owner of the tennis division of Völkl Inc., a tennis equipment and apparel company.
January 2001: Divorce from Barbara
Boris and Barbara Becker's divorce was finalized in January 2001. Barbara received a $14.4 million settlement, a condominium, and custody of their children.
February 2001: Acknowledges Paternity of Daughter, Anna
Boris Becker acknowledged paternity of his daughter, Anna, with Russian waitress Angela Ermakova in February 2001. He initially denied paternity but later accepted it after a DNA test.
2001: Sportgate.de Shutdown and Lawsuit
In 2001, Sportgate.de shut down amidst financial issues, leading to a lawsuit between Becker and his business partner.
July 2002: Tax Evasion Charges
Formal charges of tax evasion were filed against Becker in July 2002, marking a significant legal challenge for the retired tennis player.
October 2002: Sentencing in Tax Evasion Case
Becker received a two-year suspended prison sentence, a fine, and was ordered to pay a sum to charities, concluding his tax evasion case.
October 2002: Tax Evasion Sentence
In October 2002, Boris Becker received a suspended two-year prison sentence from the Munich District Court for tax evasion.
October 2002: Court Admittance and Defense
On October 23, 2002, Becker admitted to living in Munich despite being registered in Monaco, but he denied any criminal intent in his tax filings.
2002: BBC Commentator at Wimbledon
Becker began his role as a commentator for the BBC at Wimbledon in 2002.
2003: Release of Autobiography "The Player"
Boris Becker released his autobiography, "The Player," in 2003, which became a bestseller.
2003: International Tennis Hall of Fame Induction
In recognition of his achievements, Becker was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2003.
October 2005: Appearance on "They Think It's All Over"
Becker was a team captain on the BBC show "They Think It's All Over" from October 2005.
2005: Ranked 11th Best Male Player
Tennis magazine recognized Becker's impact by ranking him the 11th best male player from 1965 to 2005.
June 2006: Appearance on "They Think It's All Over" Concludes
Becker's time on "They Think It's All Over" ended in June 2006.
2006: Tennis Magazine Recognition
In 2006, Tennis Magazine featured Becker in their list of 40 greatest players on their 40th anniversary.
November 2007: PokerStars Celebrity Team Member
Becker joined PokerStars' celebrity team in November 2007.
November 2007: Obtains Joint Custody of Daughter, Anna
In November 2007, Boris Becker gained joint custody of his daughter, Anna, after expressing concerns about her upbringing.
April 2008: First Poker Tournament Appearance
Becker made his debut as a poker amateur in Monte Carlo in April 2008.
November 2008: Breakup with Alessandra Meyer-Wölden
Boris Becker's engagement to Alessandra Meyer-Wölden ended in November 2008.
February 2009: Announces Engagement to Sharlely "Lilly" Kerssenberg
Boris Becker announced his engagement to Dutch model Sharlely "Lilly" Kerssenberg in February 2009.
May 2009: Launch of Boris Becker TV
Becker launched his online media platform, Boris Becker TV, in May 2009.
June 2009: Marriage to Sharlely "Lilly" Kerssenberg
Boris Becker and Sharlely "Lilly" Kerssenberg were married in June 2009 in St. Moritz, Switzerland.
2009: Property Holdings Reported
In 2009, The Guardian reported that Boris Becker owned properties in various locations, including Munich, Monaco, Schwyz, Wimbledon, and possibly Miami.
February 2010: Birth of Son, Amadeus Benedict Edley Luis Becker
Boris Becker's son, Amadeus Benedict Edley Luis Becker, was born in February 2010 in London.
August 2011: European Poker Tour in Barcelona
Becker participated in the European Poker Tour in Barcelona in August 2011.
2012: Move to London
Becker moved to London in 2012, making it his primary residence.
2012: Reflections on Retirement
In 2012, Becker spoke about his retirement, expressing the challenge of finding new goals after achieving so much success at a young age.
April 2013: European Poker Tour in Berlin
Becker took part in the European Poker Tour in Berlin in April 2013.
May 2013: End of PokerStars Partnership
Becker's time with PokerStars ended in mid-May 2013.
December 2013: Novak Djokovic's Coach
Becker became Novak Djokovic's head coach in December 2013.
2014: Coaching Novak Djokovic
Becker coached Djokovic during the 2014 season.
2014: Hiatus from BBC Commentary (Coaching Djokovic)
Becker took a break from BBC commentary between 2014 and 2016 to coach Novak Djokovic.
2014: Stolen Passport and Fraud Allegations
The CAR passport Becker used was part of a batch stolen in 2014, leading to fraud allegations.
June 2015: Publication of "Boris Becker's Wimbledon"
Becker released his second autobiography, "Boris Becker's Wimbledon: My Life and Career at the All England Club," in June 2015.
2015: Hiatus from BBC Commentary (Coaching Djokovic)
Becker took a break from BBC commentary between 2014 and 2016 to coach Novak Djokovic.
2015: Unpaid Debt and Legal Issues
An unpaid debt from 2015 contributed to Becker's bankruptcy in 2017.
December 2016: End of Coaching Partnership with Djokovic
Djokovic and Becker ended their coaching relationship in December 2016.
2016: Hiatus from BBC Commentary (Coaching Djokovic)
Becker took a break from BBC commentary between 2014 and 2016 to coach Novak Djokovic.
June 2017: Declaration of Bankruptcy
Becker was declared bankrupt by a London court in June 2017 due to unpaid debts.
August 2017: Head of Men's Tennis for German Tennis Federation
Becker was appointed head of men's tennis for the German Tennis Federation (DTB) in August 2017.
2017: Residence in Wimbledon
As of 2017, Boris Becker was reported to be living in Wimbledon, England, within walking distance of the Wimbledon Championships grounds.
2017: Eurosport Grand Slam Coverage
Becker returned to tennis commentary in 2017 with Eurosport's Grand Slam coverage.
2017: Bankruptcy Declaration
Boris Becker declared bankruptcy in the UK in 2017.
May 2018: Separation from Sharlely "Lilly" Kerssenberg
Boris Becker and his wife, Sharlely "Lilly" Kerssenberg, announced their separation in May 2018 after nine years of marriage.
June 2018: Diplomatic Immunity Claim
Becker claimed diplomatic immunity in his bankruptcy case in June 2018, which was disputed.
August 2018: Poker Earnings and Global Poker Index Ranking
As of August 2018, Becker's poker earnings surpassed $100,000.
May 2019: Announcement of Trophy and Memorabilia Auction
In May 2019, it was announced that Becker's trophies would be auctioned to settle debts.
June 2019: Auction of Personal Collection
Becker was compelled to auction 82 items from his personal collection in June 2019 to repay creditors.
July 2019: Online Auction of Memorabilia
An online auction of Becker's memorabilia was held in July 2019.
July 2019: Romantically Linked to Layla Powell
Reports surfaced in July 2019 suggesting that Boris Becker was dating British model Layla Powell.
September 2019: Detention for Passport Fraud
The individual who provided Becker with the CAR passport was detained for potential fraud in September 2019.
November 2019: Bankruptcy Restrictions Extended
In November 2019, Boris Becker's bankruptcy restrictions were extended for 12 years, until October 2031, due to a court judgement that he had concealed assets and transactions exceeding £4.5 million.
March 2022: Trial Begins for Concealing Assets
Boris Becker's trial for allegedly failing to disclose assets valued at £2.5 million during his bankruptcy began in March 2022 at Southwark Crown Court in London.
April 2022: Found Guilty of Insolvency Charges
In April 2022, Boris Becker was found guilty on four charges related to the Insolvency Act for concealing assets during his bankruptcy.
April 2022: Imprisonment for Hiding Assets
In April 2022, a UK court sentenced Becker to two and a half years in prison for hiding assets and loans during his bankruptcy proceedings.
May 2022: Eurosport Explores Prison Studio Option
Eurosport considered setting up a studio in prison for Becker during his incarceration in May 2022.
December 2022: Early Release and Deportation
After serving eight months of his sentence, Becker was released early from prison on 15 December 2022, and deported to Germany by UK authorities.
December 2022: Release from Prison and Eurosport Re-hiring
Becker was released from prison in December 2022 and was subsequently re-hired by Eurosport.
December 2022: Released from Prison and Deported
Boris Becker was released from prison in December 2022 after serving eight months of his sentence. He was then deported to Germany, his home country.
2022: Ongoing Divorce Proceedings and Accusations
As of Boris Becker's prison sentencing in 2022, his divorce from Sharlely "Lilly" Kerssenberg was still not finalized. She later accused him of not paying child support.
2022: Relationship with Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro
At the time of his conviction in 2022, Boris Becker was in a relationship with Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro.
2022: Messages of Support During Wimbledon
While imprisoned in 2022, Becker received on-air support from colleagues during Wimbledon.
February 2023: Accused of Not Paying Child Support
In February 2023, Boris Becker's estranged wife, Sharlely "Lilly" Kerssenberg, publicly accused him of failing to pay child support for their 13-year-old son.
2023: Return to Eurosport for Australian Open Coverage
Becker was re-hired by Eurosport to cover the 2023 Australian Open.
2023: Documentary Premiere at Berlin Film Festival
The first part of a two-part documentary about Boris Becker, "Boom! Boom! The World Vs Boris Becker", directed by Alex Gibney, premiered at the 2023 Berlin Film Festival.
October 2024: Possible Eligibility to Return to the UK
According to some reports, the earliest Boris Becker could potentially return to the UK is October 2024, following his deportation due to a prison sentence.
October 2031: End of Bankruptcy Restrictions
This date in October 2031 marks the end of Boris Becker's extended bankruptcy restrictions, imposed after he was found to have hidden assets.