Tennis

German tennis legend Boris Becker has been discharged from bankruptcy court in London after a judge found that he had made every reasonable effort to repay his creditors. Despite falling short of repaying the nearly 50 million pounds he owed, Judge Nicholas Briggs ruled that it would be unfair to continue the case given Becker's cooperation and efforts.Becker, 56, was declared bankrupt in 2017 after failing to repay a loan of over 3 million pounds on his estate in Mallorca, Spain. He was subsequently convicted of four charges under the Insolvency Act, including removal of property, concealing debt, and failing to disclose estate. After serving 8 months in a London prison, Becker was deported to Germany two years ago.In his ruling, Judge Briggs praised Becker's cooperation with the bankruptcy trustees, noting that he had provided information and delivered up assets. Briggs stated that Becker "clearly falls on the right side of the line" in terms of bankrupt individuals who cooperate with the process.Becker's attorney, Louis Doyle, revealed that a settlement had been reached between the parties, including a "substantial sum" that Becker must pay. Doyle emphasized that Becker had done everything possible to resolve the case, including surrendering his outstanding trophies.Becker's financial problems stemmed from a combination of laziness and poor financial advice. He had previously worked as a coach, television commentator, investor, and celebrity poker player after retiring from professional tennis in 1999.Despite his financial struggles, Becker remains a revered figure in the tennis world. He rose to stardom in 1985 at the age of 17 when he became the first unseeded player to win the Wimbledon singles title. He went on to become the world No. 1 player, winning two more titles at Wimbledon, two at the Australian Open, and one at the U.S. Open.

Reggie Bush, the former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL running back, is now a proud tennis dad. His daughter, Briseis, is a rising star in the sport, with aspirations of playing at Wimbledon.Briseis, 10, has been playing tennis since she was 5 and has already shown a natural talent. She competes in 10-and-under tournaments and has even received a special Naomi Barbie doll from her idol, Naomi Osaka.Reggie, who retired from the NFL in 2016, has become a dedicated tennis dad, supporting Briseis's dreams. He has even taken up the sport himself, becoming an excellent golfer in the process."I like doing tournaments just to get her feet wet, so she can see what the competition is like," said Reggie. "Practice is practice, but competing is a different thing. It's great, and I think it's good for the mind and good for the spirit, because you learn a lot about yourself in those moments."Briseis is taking a break from tournament play this summer to work on her serve with Los Angeles-based coach Cecil Mamiit. She is also inspired by Osaka, who she hopes to emulate one day."I like that it's competitive," she said about tennis, "and once you win, you're just like, 'Yes!'"Reggie is aware of the impact his celebrity status can have on Briseis's career, but he tries to stay out of her way during matches."The last thing I want to do is be a distraction for her," he said. "I try to remove myself from her vision, so that she's not looking at me after every good or bad point."Despite her father's legendary status, Briseis seems to be handling the pressure well. She is confident in her abilities and has even set her sights on coaching her father one day."He's actually getting better," she said. "I would like to coach him one day."

Sabine Lisicki, the former Wimbledon finalist, has announced her pregnancy and vowed to make "one more comeback" to professional tennis. The 34-year-old German has endured a litany of injuries throughout her career, but her determination remains unwavering.Lisicki's journey has been marked by both triumph and adversity. In 2012, she reached the Wimbledon final, where she lost to Serena Williams. She also won four WTA titles and achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 12. However, injuries have plagued her since then, including two major knee injuries, ankle problems, a shoulder issue, and mononucleosis.Despite these setbacks, Lisicki has shown remarkable resilience. In 2023, she won her first title in nine years at the ITF W60 event in Calgary, Canada. This victory came after an 18-month absence due to her second knee injury.Lisicki's return to form has been inspiring. She has qualified for the WTA 500 in Charleston and reached the quarterfinals of the grass-court event in Bad Homburg. Her current ranking is No. 374, but she is determined to climb back up the ladder.Lisicki's pregnancy announcement has been met with both joy and anticipation. She and her fiancé are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their child, but she is also committed to returning to the court. Her unwavering spirit and determination suggest that she has one more comeback in her.