Sale of Boris Becker’s collection to go ahead next year, says auctioneer

The auction house handling the much-contested sale of Boris Becker’s personal collection has said the event will now take place next year. It follows the bankrupt former tennis champion dropping his claim to diplomatic immunity.

Extracted from Antiques Trade Gazette | Alex Capon

Three-times Wimbledon champion Boris Becker. Auction house Wyles Hardy said it will offer the tennis star’s collection next year after he withdrew a claim for diplomatic immunity. Image: Ipernity via Wikimedia Commons.

The online auction of sporting memorabilia was originally scheduled for June after the items were seized from the German tennis star who was declared bankrupt in the UK last year.

The sale of the 81 lots ranging from medals, awards, trophies, rackets and watches to photographs was postponed shortly before it was due to take place, with Becker’s lawyers claiming he had been appointed as a sport and cultural attaché by the Central African Republic which afforded him protection from any legal claims.

In the latest court hearing in London, Becker withdrew this claim which effectively removes any restriction on the auction going ahead.

A selection of items from Boris Becker’s collection. The sale of the collection was postponed earlier this year, but will now take place next year.

The three-times Wimbledon champion has been pursued over debts for an undisclosed amount owed to private bank Arbuthnot Latham & Co. Following a court decision in 2017, a group of bankruptcy trustees instructed business asset valuer and auctioneer Wyles Hardy & Co to sell the collection, which is thought could raise £200,000.

Wyles Hardy has yet to set a date for the rescheduled auction but said it is unlikely to be until next year.

Among the items due to appear in the auction is a full-size silver replica of the US Open trophy by Tiffany & Co. Boris Becker won his only US Open title in 1989, beating Ivan Lendl in the final. The trophy, which was previously exhibited in the Tennis Hall Of Fame, Newport, Rhode Island, USA, had previously attracted a bid of £33,100 bid before the auction had been postponed.