Wimbledon champion was forced to sell trophies and $12m mansion
Wimbledon champion was forced to sell trophies and $12m mansion
Kasra Moradi Sun, July 12, 2026 at 12:51 PM UTC
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Becker was forced to auction off his replica trophies (Image: Getty)
Former Wimbledon champion Boris Becker was compelled to auction off his trophies and a $12 million estate after declaring bankruptcy. The German secured six Grand Slam championships, including three at the All England Club, throughout his distinguished playing career.
However, a string of poor financial choices and escalating legal troubles resulted in his economic downfall and imprisonment. Becker was forced to relinquish his prized trophies and an opulent Mallorca property as his formerly luxurious existence crumbled around him.
His extraordinary tennis journey started with his breakthrough in 1985, when he became Wimbledon's youngest men's singles champion at just 17 - a record that remains unbroken. Recognized for his powerful serve-and-volley approach and relentless competitive spirit, he captured three Wimbledon titles (1985, 1986, 1989), two Australian Opens (1991, 1996), and one US Open (1989).
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Becker's charismatic presence and playing style elevated him to international stardom, which subsequently generated multimillion-pound endorsement deals. Following his retirement in 1999, Becker transitioned into coaching, most notably collaborating with Novak Djokovic from 2013 to 2016.
During their partnership, Djokovic captured six Grand Slam titles, cementing Becker's reputation as an exceptional tennis tactician. Following his retirement, the 58-year-old became well known for his consistent presence as a BBC commentator at SW19, where he enjoyed popularity among audiences.
The Wimbledon trophy is brought to the Royal Box (Image: Getty)
However, his steep decline began in 2017, when he was declared bankrupt over an outstanding $4M loan tied to his lavish Mallorcan estate. Purchased in 1997 for $670,000, the 10,000-square-foot property in Alaro featured seven bedrooms, a pool, tennis, and basketball courts. Previously estimated at $12M, the estate eventually became a liability.
Becker invested millions renovating it, yet by 2018 had abandoned the property, which had deteriorated into a "dilapidated ghost house" - its walls covered with graffiti and its roof partially collapsed.
In 2020, Becker transferred ownership of the residence to a British bank in a bid to decrease his escalating debt, representing a significant low point. He arguably hit rock bottom when he was compelled to auction off his prized tennis memorabilia - mementos of his six Grand Slam victories.
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Boris Becker is piecing his life back together following a period of instability (Image: Getty)
In 2018, 82 items - including a replica of his 1985 Wimbledon trophy - were sold for $938,000. The auction clearly demonstrated his downfall, as he relinquished artifacts from his peak years to satisfy creditors.
His financial troubles were compounded by legal complications. In 2022, he was convicted of concealing $3.35M in assets and loans to evade repayment of debts, in breach of U.K. insolvency laws.
The concealed holdings included a $1.34M German residence and shares in a technology company. Becker was found guilty on four charges and received a two-and-a-half-year prison term.
Becker used to be a regular at Wimbledon, either as a coach, a commentator or a pundit (Image: Getty)Becker's prison time
He spent eight months at HMP Wandsworth and Huntercombe before his release and deportation to Germany in December 2022, with a ban preventing his return to the U.K. The trial revealed his financial mishandling, with prosecutors outlining his attempts to sustain a lavish lifestyle despite mounting debts.
The tennis icon's private life has also experienced upheaval. Becker, who has been married three times, is the father of five children from different relationships.
In November 2025, he and his 36-year-old wife, Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro, had a daughter, Zoe Vittoria Becker.
The pair, who wed in an opulent Italian celebration in 2022, have endured public attention since, though Lilian has stood by Becker throughout his legal and monetary difficulties.
Despite these challenges, Becker is attempting to reconstruct his life. Following his release, he resumed tennis commentary work, with his family - particularly Lilian - serving as the foundation of his recovery.
However, the Mallorcan estate and the surrendered trophies remain stark reminders of his former existence.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
