Boris Becker insists bankruptcy is a ‘misunderstanding’

His financial woes hit the headlines in June after it was reported that he never paid back an undisclosed debt to a private bank.

And now Boris Becker, 50, has insisted that his bankruptcy was a ‘misunderstanding’, explaining that he is ‘in a position’ to settle the bill in a candid new interview.

Speaking to The Times, the former Tennis pro claimed that the situation arose because of a dispute over the interest he owes.

He said: ‘I am in a position to settle to an amount that I owe. It’s a bit like if you go to a restaurant and order a chicken sandwich and a cola and the bill is £10,000. 

‘I’d like to go over the bill with the restaurant owner and that chance hasn’t been given to me. That’s why I call this a big misunderstanding. I’m not running away. I live in the middle of London. I’m not hiding.’

There is a possibility Boris’ bankruptcy could be annulled should he settle his dispute in the coming months.

In light of his woes, the German star has set his sights on reaching a resolution, which he deemed as ‘important’ to him.

Money matters: Speaking to The Times , the former Tennis pro claimed that the situation arose because of a dispute over the interest he owes

‘Not hiding’: He shared: ‘That’s why I call this a big misunderstanding. I’m not running away. I live in the middle of London. I’m not hiding’

He said: ‘I would like to have an annulment. It’s important to me. I could sit it out and say, “My doctor is telling me I need a holiday; my wife hasn’t seen me much.” Theoretically I could do that, but that is the last thing I want to do. To clarify, I want to settle the bill and move on with my life.’

And the former Wimbledon champion explained that he takes ‘full responsibility’ for his financial situation but had the bank played theoretical tennis ‘doubles’ with him, he would have avoided his bankruptcy.  

His frank interview comes after the sportsman reportedly earned in the region of £100million throughout his career, but was declared bankrupt in June over a £3.3million debt.

Frank: His frank interview comes after the sportsman reportedly earned in the region of £100million throughout his career, but was declared bankrupt in June over a £3.3million debt

Speaking in an interview with Swiss newspaper, Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Mr Becker said: ‘It’s crazy to think I’m broke’.

‘I have enough national and international deals to earn an income that will allow me to pay my staff on time and carry on my life as normal. 

‘It’s true that I have been in bankruptcy since June 21, but it’s wrong that I am broke,’ he claimed.

Boris married his first wife Barbara in December 1993, with the couple going on to have Noah and Elias.

Honest: Speaking in an interview with Swiss newspaper, Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Mr Becker said: ‘It’s crazy to think I’m broke. I have enough national and international deals to earn an income that will allow me to pay my staff on time and carry on my life as normal’

However in the summer of 1999, while Barbara was seven months pregnant with Elias, Boris fathered his daughter Anna during a one-night-stand with Russian model Angela Ermakova at Nobu in London. 

When Barbara found out about the one night stand she moved to Florida and filed for divorce.

She fought their pre-nuptial agreement and managed to win more than £14million and the custody of both sons in a divorce court.

Love: After moving to Switzerland and enjoying a few years out of in the media spotlight, Becker remarried in 12 June 2009 in St Moritz, Switzerland to Dutch model Sharlely ‘Lilly’ Kerssenberg

Family time: The couple have a seven-year-old son named Amadeus Benedict Edley Luis Becker

Although Boris disputed paternity, a DNA test in February 2001 proved that he was the father and he agreed to support Anna, now a budding model, and obtained joint custody in November 2007.

After moving to Switzerland and enjoying a few years out of in the media spotlight, Becker remarried in 12 June 2009 in St Moritz, Switzerland to Dutch model Sharlely ‘Lilly’ Kerssenberg.

The couple have a seven-year-old son named Amadeus Benedict Edley Luis Becker.

The star is still one of the most famous names in the world of sport and features heavily as a pundit during the BBC’s two weeks of coverage of Wimbledon.

‘The Becker Boys’: Boris kept his loved ones close as he celebrated his milestone 50th birthday . The former tennis ace shared a snap of himself and his sons [L-R] Elias, Amadeus and Noah curled up on the sofa