By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, April 29, 2022

Boris Becker took tennis to dizzying heights with his dramatic dives across Wimbledon's Centre Court.

Today, the former world No. 1's sad descent hit a humbling low in a London court.

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Hall of Famer Becker has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in jail for hiding hundreds of thousands of pounds in assets after his 2017 bankruptcy.

Judge Deborah Taylor admonished the three-time Wimbledon champion for continuing to live large and showing no remorse for his crimes during sentencing in Southwark Crown Court.

"It is notable you have not shown remorse or acceptance of your guilt. You have... sought to distance yourself from your offending and your bankruptcy," Judge Taylor told a somber Becker, who was dressed in a slate-colored suit. "While I accept your humiliation as part of the proceedings, there has been no humility."

Becker stared straight ahead as Judge Taylor ruled he will serve half his sentence behind bars and the remainder "on license," which typically means home detention.

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The 54-year-old Becker, who lives in Wimbledon village and was accompanied in court by partner Lillian and son Noah, had faced a maximum sentence of seven years.

Earlier this month, Becker was found guilty on four counts of the insolvency act and acquitted of 20 additional counts in a Southwark Crown Court.

A jury found Becker guilty of removal of property, two counts of failing to disclose estate and hiding nearly $1 million of debt. 

The case stemmed from Becker's 2017 bankruptcy. The Hall of Famer was declared bankrupt after failing to repay more than $3 million in loans for his estate in Mallorca, Spain.

"This conviction serves as a clear warning to those who think they can hide their assets and get away with it," Dean Beale chief executive of the Insolvency Service told BBC. "You will be found out and prosecuted."

A jury found Becker not guilty on nine counts of failing to turn over several of his trophies to creditors, including two of the three Wimbledon trophies.

The three-time Wimbledon champion earned more than $25 million and won six Grand Slam titles in his illustrious career.

Becker guided Novak Djokovic to six Grand Slam titles during a productive three-year partnership and has been an opinionated TV analyst working for both Eurosport and BBC.

Recent years have posed painful challenges for Becker, who was facing a $40 million lawsuit filed by a former business partner. Becker tried in vain to prevent bankruptcy at one point claiming diplomatic protection granted by the Central African Republic.

The German superstar was also accused of hiding property and assets worth about $2.3 million.

During his trial, prosecutors allege Becker transferred hundreds of thousands of dollars to other banking accounts, including accounts held by a couple of his ex-wives, to avoid paying creditors. All while continuing to rack up credit card bills for designer clothes and the cost of a luxury lifestyle.