Boris Becker has been pictured getting set to take part in a poker tournament after it emerged that he had borrowed £2million from the founder of Phones4U to pay off his huge debts.
The six-time grand slam tennis champion, who was declared bankrupt in June after a private London bank claimed he owed them almost £10million, turned to his friend John Caudwell for help.
It has been reported Mr Becker owes more than £54million, though his lawyer has strenuously denied this, saying the true sum is much lower.
Boris Becker gets set to take part in a poker tournament just days after it emerged he had racked up debts of £54 million
Now he is taking part in a tournament starting today in Vienna where he will play as part of the Partypoker Grand Prix series at Montesino in Austria against pros like Fedor Holz or Jan-Peter Jachtmann.
His bankruptcy declaration was ‘only the tip of the iceberg’ when it came to the mountain of debt built up by the man who was once known as one of the richest sportsmen in the world, German media reported.
Becker, 49, could be forced to sell his Wimbledon trophies, which are among memorabilia he has been ordered not to remove from his £7million London home as they could be seized and sold at auction, the Times reported.
The fortune he built up throughout his playing career – which once stood at about £35million – has gone, and the BBC tennis commentator is now left with assets of £481,483.
His wealth was spent on a costly divorce, failed business projects, an extravagant lifestyle and settling unpaid tax bills.
John Caudwell, billionaire founder of Phones4U turned philanthropist, reportedly loaned Mr Becker the money after hearing of the extent of his debts
The 49-year-old German is said to be considering selling his Wimbledon trophies in order to clear his debts. He is pictured after winning the Wimbledon title in 1985 (left) and 1989 (right)
A financial adviser introduced Becker to Mr Caudwell, 64, about three years ago and a loan was agreed with an interest rate of 25 per cent, which Becker has repaid, the Times reported.
Becker’s financial woes are laid bare in a report by the accountants appointed to handle his affairs after he was declared bankrupt when he failed to repay a loan to bankers Arbuthnot Latham & Co.
A Swiss businessman named Hans Dieter Cleven, his long-term business advisor, is said to be owed £34million.
It is alleged luxury watches valued at almost £40,000 have already been seized from Becker.
MailOnline has contacted Mr Caudwell’s representatives for comment, but had not heard back at the time of publication.