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DTB puts Boris Becker in charge of men's tennis in Germany

Chuck Penfold
August 23, 2017

The German tennis association has named Boris Becker as its head of men's tennis. The three-time Wimbledon champion had most recently made the headlines in reports that he had gone bankrupt.

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Deutschalnd Frankfurt DTB Pressekonferenz Boris Becker
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/M. Probst

Ullrich Klaus, president of the German tennis federation (DTB), announced the appointment of former world No. 1 to the newly created post of head of men's tennis at a press conference in Frankfurt on Wednesday. For reasons that are unclear, the DTB has chosen to use the English term "head of men's tennis" in German.

Klaus described the appointment of Becker as a "milestone" in the development of the DTB. Becker is to be responsible for the entire men's game in Germany, bringing his expertise to bear at the professional level and in youth tennis.

"I love this sport and I love this country. It is a great joy for me to again take on an important role in German tennis," Becker told the press conference.

Opinion: Boris Becker and the Germans - no happy end in sight

In his new role, the 49-year-old Becker, who entered the room on crutches due to a recent ankle operation, will actually be Davis Cup captain Michael Kohlmann's boss, and is to be present at Germany's playoff against Portugal in Lisbon next month.

Becker, who won six Grand Slam tournaments during his playing career, including three Wimbledon titles, has most recently been working as a tennis commentator for Eurosport and the BBC. He had previously been coach of former world No. 1 Novak Djokovic before the two parted company last December. Becker was also Germany's Davis Cup captain between 1997 and 1999, but left the post in a dispute with the DTB.

Becker last made the headlines back in June, when it was reported that a London court had declared him bankrupt. Becker has denied this, telling the newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung that he was "neither insolvent, nor bankrupt."

Fed Cup captain Rittner promoted to head of women's tennis

Also at Wednesday's press conference, the DTB named Barbara Rittner, who until now had been Germany's Fed Cup captain, as its head of women's tennis, responsible for the professionals and the youth ranks.

"I am really excited and looking forward to working with Boris," Rittner said.

The 44-year-old Rittner has been replaced as Fed Cup captain by Jens Gerlach.