Boris Becker trial hears star lost Wimbledon trophies

Image source, EPA

Boris Becker told a jury that he didn't know where his Wimbledon trophies were.

If he had access to them, the six-time Grand Slam winner would give them to them.

Mr Becker was declared bankrupt in 2017, with nine trophies and medals among his assets.

He denied 24 charges.

The former world number one told the court that he sold his properties to fix his finances, but some of the items he owned from his career are missing.

He said it was about winning the title for the player. The trophy isn't as important when you are playing.

I wish I could show them to my children.

The billionaire founder of Phones 4u, John Cauldwell, gave Mr Becker a 3 million dollar loan, with a 25% interest rate.

He said he was shocked by his financial situation and had been trying to pay off some of his debts by selling his estate in Mallorca, Spain.

Mr Becker told the court of his shock and embarrassment at being declared bankrupt, as well as the damage the bad publicity had done to his brand.

He won 49 singles titles in his career.

Mr Becker was declared bankrupt and failed to hand over his awards.

• two of the three Wimbledon men's singles titles
• the 1992 Olympic gold medal
• his Australian Open trophies from 1991 and 1996
• the President's Cup from 1985 and 1989
• his 1989 Davis Cup Trophy
• a Davis Cup Gold Coin won in 1988

The court heard that the trophies on the court are larger than the ones the competitors take home. Mr Becker said that it was hard to hold the Wimbledon trophy.

The All England Lawn Tennis Cup is around 24in by 24in, but the winner gets a replica that is half the size or even smaller than that.

Image source, Steve Powell/Allsport/Getty Images

Becker said the Australian Open is a big tournament to win it, but is the smallest of the trophies, and that star players made fun of them.

He told the court that Roger had made many complaints about one trophy, which led to the larger version winners taking home.

Mr Becker said that what you receive on the court is not what you keep. When you travel to another tournament, what you keep is usually given to your agent or manager.

He said he gave his mother the trophy.

He has put out several appeals in an attempt to locate some of the missing trophies after some of them were auctioned off to pay off his debts.

Among the places that have been contacted are major tennis associations, halls of fame and museums, but Mr Becker said he is not in a better position today to say where they are.

He has been accused of 24 charges.

• Nine counts of failing to deliver up trophies and other awards
• Seven counts of concealing property totalling more than €1.5m
• Five counts of failing to disclose estate, including properties in Germany and London, shares, and a bank account
• Two of removal of property amounting to almost €500,000
• One of concealing €825,000 of debt

The trial is expected to last up to three weeks.