Boris Becker reveals what an official ‘begged’ him to do after he became world number one at the Australian Open 34 years ago

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Boris Becker enjoyed a legendary tennis career winning titles around the world during his 15 year stint as a professional.

The German star won 49 singles titles on the ATP Tour, as he reached the top of the sport during the 1980s and 1990s.

Becker won six Grand Slam titles; two at the Australian Open, three at Wimbledon, and one in New York, as he proved himself at tennis’ biggest tournaments.

He spent 12 weeks ranked number one in the world during his career, reaching the ranking for the first time in 1991.

Becker’s journey to the top was a long one, as he now recalls what happened when he finally secured the number one spot, 34 years ago.

Boris Becker was ‘begged’ to return to the stadium after becoming world number one in 1991

Speaking to the ATP Tour, Becker reflected on the troubles he faced trying to become world number one in the 1980s.

“Number one, it’s a great achievement, whether you’re one week, you’re 12 weeks or you’re 350 weeks, it doesn’t matter,” he said.

“I was 18 years old when I became number two in September of 1986, I thought my world was perfect but there was a guy called Ivan Lendl who was just always ahead of me.

“109 weeks number two, I mean what was so difficult to make the next step? I can’t believe it.

“In the 80s I was still a teenager, I had great tournaments but then I had average weeks and Ivan was more consistent over 52 weeks and I think that changed in the early 90s.

“I understood how the system works, maybe I was better in counting, how to play, where to play, and so forth.”

Becker finally secured the ranking with a win over his great rival Lendl in the final of the 1991 Australian Open.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Becker sprinted out of the stadium before the trophy presentations.

“Finally I got him in 1991 when I beat him in the final of the Australian Open,” said Becker.

“I knew I had to win that match to get the final hurdle, it felt crazy, it’s one of those moments where you’re standing outside of yourself a little bit and you’re watching the whole thing evolving. 

“I just won the final against Ivan and you know what I did, I ran out.

“I wanted to be on my own because being a tennis player is a very lonely sport, I wanted to be with myself and my thoughts, so I ran out of the stadium.”

The German now thanks one hard-working official for chasing him down and convincing him to return for the trophy presentations.

“Thankfully there was somebody that was as fast as me running after me,” said Becker.

“He was begging me, ‘Boris please come back, the world is watching, 16,000 fans in the stadium, please take the trophy’.

“I listened to him, I relaxed a little bit and I went and I got the trophy.”

Boris Becker’s six Grand Slam victories

Becker reached number one thanks to several impressive performances at Grand Slam tournaments, winning six Major titles.

The German became the youngest Grand Slam winner in men’s tennis history at Wimbledon in 1985, as he beat America’s Kevin Curren in four sets.

His record was soon beaten by Michael Chang who won the 1989 French Open, at 17 years and three months old, four months younger than Becker was when he lifted the Wimbledon title.

It was Chang who Becker beat to win his final Major title at Melbourne Park in 1996, battling through in four sets to win, 6-2, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2.

The German had won his sixth Grand Slam, cementing his place among the sport’s greatest ever players.

Becker added to his Major tally as a coach, winning six more alongside Serbian legend Novak Djokovic, when they worked together between 2013 and 2016.

Djokovic’s triumph at the French Open in 2016 saw the German pick up the one Major title he failed to win during his career, completing the set.

Retiring as a legend of the game, Becker’s achievements in tennis won’t soon be forgotten as he earned his number one ranking by becoming one of the sport’s greatest players.