When the winner of the 32nd TERRA WORTMANN is determined on Sunday afternoon, there will be a very special moment for the newly crowned champion at the official ceremonies. Tennis legend Boris Becker, still the youngest Wimbledon champion of all time, will present the winner's trophy. It was almost exactly 40 years ago that the Leimen native won against South African Kevin Curren on the famous Centre Court on Church Road and triggered a tennis euphoria in his home country.
Around three weeks before the Wimbledon anniversary (7.7.1985-7.7.2025), Becker will be playing on a professional Centre Court in Halle-Westphalia - albeit only as the celebrity guest of honour at the award ceremony. "I'm delighted to be returning to Halle. It's a location that enjoys a high international reputation in tennis,‘ says Becker, ’it's incredible how the tournament has developed." After his active career, Becker had occasionally made detours to Halle-Westphalia, a competition that has since become a core event in the ATP 500 series. On Saturday, Becker made a flying visit to the TERRA WORTMANN OPEN centre court TV studio.
As a player, the now 57-year-old Becker made two guest appearances at the TERRA WORTMANN OPEN, in 1997 and 1998. After defeating Alex Radulescu, Hendrik Dreekmann (both Germany) and Jeff Tarango (USA), he was beaten in the semi-finals by perennial rival Yevgeny Kafelnikov on his debut in '97. "It was a black day. There's nothing you can do when these days come,‘ said Becker at the time, ’I'm only human. And people are not always the same." A year later, Becker lost in the opening round in Halle-Westphalia to local hero Dreekmann in a dramatic 3:6, 7:5, 6:7 (7:9) three-setter.
Becker ended his career at Wimbledon in 1999, where he had been crowned King of the Lawn a total of three times.
