Six-time Grand Slam title winner Boris Becker is one of the biggest former tennis stars to take up the game of poker. Becker signed a contract with online poker site PokerStars back in 2007 to become an ambassador for their site and since that time has proven his prowess in the game. He is a regular fixture on the European Poker Tour and even made a final table in an EPT event in 2008. He has close to $70,000 in earnings in live events since joining the PokerStars team.
Yevgeny Kafelnikov won over $23 Million during his career in tennis and then went on to make a name for himself in the game of poker. He has close to $150,000 in pro cashes and an impressive three cashes at the 2005 World Series of Poker. He missed the final table in the $1,500 Seven Card Stud event by just one spot, finishing 9th in the event. Kafelnikov currently is playing on the Champions Tour and many expect him to have strong showings once again once he steps away fully from competitive tennis.
One of poker's biggest names is actually a former tennis player. Patrik Antonius was once one of Finland's up and coming tennis stars but a bulging disc in his back forced him into retirement before his career could really get going. Soon he discovered the game of poker and developed into one of the world's top stars. He currently has $5.3 Million in pro cashes and is among one of the most feared players in the game.
Professional poker for many is akin to athletic competition, requiring many of the same skills. As such, it is no surprise that tennis stars and others are regularly seen on the European Poker Tour, the World Poker Tour, and at the World Series of Poker. As the game continues to grow and the prize pools continue to get larger, we will likely see many more tennis players and others transition to the game.