How many grand slam titles did Boris Becker win in his career, as the German Tennis legend is sentenced to prison for bankruptcy offenses?
One of Tennis’s most recognisable characters, Boris Becker has been sentenced to two-and-a-half-years in jail after being found guilty of hiding assets so he would not have to pay outstanding debts.
54-year-old German Becker was found guilty earlier in April 2022 under the UK’s Insolvency Act, reports the BBC.
These included property in Germany as well as a loan and technology shares.
Judge Deborah Taylor imposed the sentence at Southwark Crown Court after he was found guilty by a jury, although cleared of 20 other charges, including the failure to hand over trophies and medals from his glittering career.
But how many grand slams did Boris Becker win – and which was the only one he never did?
BORIS BECKER GRAND SLAMS
In his singles career, Becker played 927 games, winning 713 and losing 214.
He was world number one, reaching it in January 1991 – and picked up a doubles gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympic games alongside Michael Stich.
Turning professional in 1984, Becker burst onto the scene at Wimbledon a year later.
Aged just 17 years, 227 days, Boris Becker claimed his first grand slam title on the SW19 grass – at the time the youngest ever to do that.
A year later, he defeated Ivan Lendl to double up and take his second grand slam title.
The right-handed Becker would claim a third Wimbledon triumph in 1989, the same year won the US Open at Flushing Meadows.
In 1991, Becker won on hard courts again in Melbourne – the first of two grand slam titles down under.
Boris Becker’s sixth, and final grand slam titles came in 1996 – again in Australia – 11 years after the blonde haired prodigy burst onto the scene.
Boris Becker’s Grand Slam results:
Australian Open – Winner – 1991, 1996
Wimbledon – Winner – 1985, 1986, 1989
US Open – Winner – 1989
Becker never completed the career grand slam by winning all four titles.
His best result on the clay of Roland Garros was a trio of semi-final appearances in 1987, 1989 and 1991.
COACH TO ANOTHER LEGEND
After hanging up the racquet, Becker turned his hand to pundit work and coaching.
He was a familiar face on the BBC’s coverage of Wimbledon, alongside the likes of Sue Barker, Tim Henman and Andrew Castle.
In 2013, Becker was announced as the coach of Novak Djokovic as the Serb went about re-writing the record books.
Becker coached Djokovic to six titles between the 2014 Australian Open and 2016 US Open.
This included the 2016 French Open – the one grand slam Becker never won in his playing days.
