Boris Becker

Boris Becker to be Inducted into Rogers Cup Hall of Fame

June 12, 2008

Tennis legend to play on opening night of Rogers Cup in Toronto

Tennis Canada and Rogers Communications Inc. announced Thursday that Boris Becker has been named the 2008 inductee into the Rogers Cup Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will be part of Opening Night for the Rogers Cup on July 21, 2008 at Rexall Centre in Toronto. Additionally on Opening Night, Becker will play an exhibition match against Canadian tennis great Daniel Nestor.

“We are excited to join Canadian tennis fans in welcoming back Boris Becker,” said Nadir Mohamed, President and COO of Rogers Communications Inc. “As a former Rogers Cup champion and multiple Grand Slam winner, Boris is a deserving inductee into the Rogers Cup Hall of Fame.”

Becker made the most of his three appearances at the Rogers Cup, as he captured the title the first time he came to Canada in 1986 and then reached the semifinal the following year. To this day, he remains the only German man to have won Canada’s biggest tennis tournament.

In a professional career that spanned more than 15 years, Becker became one of the greatest players in men’s tennis history. Overall, he captured six Grand Slam singles titles (three at Wimbledon, two at the Australian Open, and one at the U.S. Open), an Olympic gold medal in doubles at the 1992 Barcelona Games, and two year-end ATP Tour World Championship trophies. In 1985 at aged 17, he became the youngest gentlemen’s singles champion at Wimbledon, a record that still stands today. He finished his career with 49 singles titles and 15 doubles crowns.

“Boris is a tennis legend and we are thrilled to have him play again in Toronto this summer,” said tournament director Karl Hale. “The Rogers Cup Hall of Fame has become a symbol of excellence. Boris belongs among the list of tennis greats.”

Known for his big serve and tendency to dive for volleys on any surface, Becker reached the World No. 1 ranking in 1991. He was recognized for his stellar career in 2003 when he was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

In 2006, Rogers created the Rogers Cup Hall of Fame in celebration of the 125th anniversary of the tournament. Inaugural inductees included tennis greats Bob Bédard, Roy Emerson, Ivan Lendl and Martina Navratilova. Last year, Canadians Carling Bassett-Seguso and Sebastien Lareau, joined American John McEnroe as the Class of 2007.