SUMMARY
- Boris Becker was a renowned player, as he made waves with his prowess and his affairs.
- Is his third child really the product of 'sperm theft'?
Former German player Boris Becker was one of the most prolific tennis players of all time. Boris embodied living larger than life, be it on the court or off of it. Becker’s name became synonymous with scandal, but nothing came close to the controversy that his extramarital affair caused at the turn of the century.
Boris made waves when he became the youngest male player to win the Wimbledon title at only 17 years old. With major titles under his belt, Becker enjoyed the fame that came with such success. He led a fascinating life, gripping the imagination of the public.
Boris made headlines for his complicated love life as well as his playing skills. The German player rocked the tennis world when the news of his affair with a model broke.
After losing to Pat Rafter at Wimbledon, Boris met Russian model Angela Ermakova at the London-based Japanese restaurant Nobu. Sparks flew between them immediately, and the two of them enjoyed a romp in the broom closet.
Boris was a married man at the time. His wife, Barbara Feltus, was pregnant with their second son, Elias, then. Feltus had to be hospitalized since she was experiencing some discomfort at the time of the extramarital affair. The pain turned out to be a false alarm, and by the time morning rolled around, Boris had already forgotten about his fling.
Boris Becker had to face the consequences of his actions
Becker and Angela met again after eight months, under very different circumstances. The model had left Boris a cryptic message, and he had caught on to the meaning very quickly.
Angela was heavily pregnant when the two met face-to-face again. She eventually gave birth to a daughter, Anna, who bore a strong resemblance to Boris. The player was reluctant to admit that he was the father. His lawyers believed that Anna’s birth was the result of a “sperm theft.”
A prominent German newspaper went so far as to claim that the theft was part of the plan that the Russian mafia hatched. In 2001, Boris agreed to undergo a DNA test, which proved without a shadow of a doubt that he was the father. Becker eventually accepted Anna as his daughter, promising to bear her responsibilities.
“I do accept the fatherhood. I take responsibility, and I will take care of little Anna. Whatever I can contribute, I will do for Anna’s future as a happy girl,” said Boris in a statement (via The Mirror).
Anna’s birth and the paternity test became two of the most publicized events. While Boris gained a daughter, his marriage bore the brunt of it. The Wimbledon champion’s affair ended his marriage in one fell swoop. Barabara and Boris had reportedly tried to work on their relationship, but it was too late.
The partners separated in 2001, and Boris reportedly paid her nearly $30 million in alimony. Moreover, Boris agreed to pay for the upbringing of their two sons, Noah and Elias. Barbara also had the choice to choose either their luxury home on Fisher Island, near Miami, or their home in Munich.
Becker’s relationship with Anna
It has been two decades since the scandal broke out. Boris has dated several other women and has even been engaged to a few of them. He is currently dating Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro, who stayed by his side throughout his legal troubles. In all this time, Anna has grown up to be a beautiful young lady in her 20s, and someone Boris is incredibly proud of.
She made her debut in a dance competition called Let’s Dance. Ermakova participated in a group dance that performed a slow waltz. However, Anna stood out, and the judges awarded her the maximum points. Boris took to social media to congratulate Anna on her performance. He further added that he was a “proud dad.”
Boris Becker has long since hung up his racket. His life has been eventful, going from tennis courts to jail and back to the courts in a new role. Becker has found his calling in coaching, and even though his latest stint has ended, he is sure to find a ward soon enough.