Boris Becker to become poker pro
4th March, 2008
Tennis star Boris Becker has confirmed that he plans on launching a professional poker career, Die Welt has reported.
The German newspaper quoted the 40-year-old as saying that he has "been playing intensively since last year" and that he has now signed a sponsorship contract with an unspecified online poker firm.
Becker reputedly discovered his flare for the game during time off in between ATP tennis matches, especially during the frequent rain breaks at Wimbledon - where he became the youngest ever winner of the men’s singles in 1985, aged just 17.
And in an indication that the six-time Grand Slam singles champion is still looking to settle some old scores, Becker invited a number of his former foes to face up at the poker table.
"I would like to know how people like Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, Stefan Edberg, Ivan Lendl or even Jimmy Connors, manage to keep their cool at poker," Becker provocatively told Die Welt.
The tennis stars first major appearance on the circuit is expected to be the European Poker Tour final in Monte Carlo.
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