The former world number one tennis player Boris Becker is on trial accused of concealing funds and failing to hand over his trophies to settle debts after he was declared bankrupt five years ago.

The charges include nine counts of failing to deliver trophies and other awards and seven counts of concealing property totalling more than €1.5 million.

The six-time Grand Slam champion, 54, is said to have failed to hand over trophies including for the 1985 and 1989 Wimbledon men’s singles title, two Australian Open trophies and his 1992 Olympic gold medal.

Becker arrived at Southwark Crown Court on Monday with his partner Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro. He denies 24 charges under the Insolvency Act relating to events between May and October 2017.

Accused of concealing property

Becker is also accused of removing hundreds of thousands of pounds by transferring it to other accounts, including his former wife Barbara Becker and estranged wife Sharlely Becker.

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The commentator is alleged to have concealed more than €1.5 million (around £1.3 million) and failed to disclose two properties in Germany as well as a flat in Chelsea, west London.

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Boris Becker auctions off items from career to pay off debts

He is also charged with five counts of failing to disclose estate, including properties in Germany and London, shares and a bank account, two of removal of property amounting to more than £400,000 and one of concealing almost £700,000 of debt.

Becker, who commentated for the BBC at Wimbledon last year, collected 49 singles titles out of 77 finals during his 16 years as a professional tennis player.

Jurors told ‘start with a blank page’

Judge Deborah Taylor told members of the jury to ignore Becker’s celebrity and to focus on the case.

She said: “You must leave aside anything you have heard or any preconceptions about this case, including anything about this defendant, and start with a blank page.

“You must ignore this defendant’s celebrity and treat him in exactly the same way you would treat someone you have not heard of and is not in the public eye.”

The trial is expected to last three weeks.

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