ITV is re-examining the story of the highly publicised bankruptcy trial of Boris Becker, in a re-release of its documentary, Boris Becker: The Rise and Fall.

Advertisement

The documentary previously aired in July 2023 on ITVX and featured exclusive interviews with those who knew the three-time Wimbledon champion and unseen personal and family archives.

Boris Becker took the tennis world by storm when he became the youngest ever Wimbledon men’s singles champion in 1985 at the young age of 17. He went on to win the accolade three times over, as well as two Australian Open titles, and one US Open title.

But things came crashing down for the tennis player when he was jailed in April 2022 for hiding £2.5 million in assets and loans that he was required to disclose.

Becker was sentenced to 30 months for his crimes, however, he served just eight months of his sentence before being released.

More like this

So, where is Boris Becker now? Read on for everything you need to know about the former tennis star.

Who is Boris Becker?

Boris Becker
Boris Becker. Getty Images

Boris Franz Becker, 54, is a German former world No. 1 tennis player.

He is the youngest ever winner of the gentlemen's singles Wimbledon Championships, which he won at the age of 17 in 1985.

Becker is regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time and was featured in the list of Tennis Magazine's 40 greatest players on its 40th anniversary in 2006.

Boris Becker conviction

In April 2022, Boris Becker was sent to prison for hiding £2.5 million in assets and loans that he was required to disclose.

The Grand Slam champion was found guilty of four acts under the Insolvency Act.

The case centred on Becker's bankruptcy in 2017, resulting from an unpaid loan of more than £3 million on his luxury estate in Mallorca, Spain.

Becker had been legally obliged to share all of his assets so that his trustee could distribute available funds to his creditors, to whom he owed nearly £50 million when he was declared bankrupt.

However, he failed to disclose, concealed and removed significant assets from the Official Receiver and his Trustee in Bankruptcy. Assets concealed included his share of a property in Leiman, Germany, and 75,000 shares in a software company.

In his 2022 trial, Becker was found guilty of removal of property, two counts of failing to disclose estate and concealing debt.

Jurors acquitted him on a further 20 charges, including nine counts of failing to hand over his tennis trophies and medals.

On 29th April 2022, he was sentenced to 30 months in prison. He was sent to HM Prison Wandsworth before being transferred to HM Prison Huntercombe, which is a facility used to detain foreign nationals.

He was released on 15th December 2022 after serving eight and a half months.

Where is Boris Becker now?

Following the release of ITVX’s new documentary, it was reported that Becker had proposed to his girlfriend.

According to friends close to the couple, Becker was "incredibly grateful to Lilian for staying with him through ‘the hardest time’ of his life."

Since his release from prison, Becker has moved into punditry and often offers his insights on Eurosport. In recent days, he followed the action at the Australian Open 2024.

He previously said his incarceration "humbled" him, adding: "I’m a survivor; I’m a tough cookie. I’ve taken the incarceration, but I’ve also taken the glory and if anything this made me a stronger, better man."

Is Boris Becker allowed back in the UK?

Boris Becker will not be allowed to return to the UK until October 2024 at the earliest.

Becker has said that he misses London, however, and would "love" to return to his commentating role at Wimbledon.

He also revealed that he's been in contact with the BBC about being part of its coverage in the future, but said that "it’s not [his] decision".

As per The Guardian, a Home Office spokesperson said: “Any foreign national who has been convicted of a crime and deported is prohibited from returning for as long as the deportation order made against them remains in force.”

Boris Becker: The Rise & Fall will be available to stream exclusively on ITVX on Thursday 13th July.

Check out more of our Documentaries coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to see what's on tonight.

Advertisement

Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement