When a 17-year-old unseeded German – sporting a huge serve that earned him the nickname ‘Boom Boom’, incredible diving volleys and a flamboyant style – pulled off a surprise and won Wimbledon in 1985, the world was officially introduced to Boris Becker.
He was the first German player to lift the coveted trophy at the All England Club and also became the youngest-ever grand slam champion (a record later broken by Michael Chang).
Becker, born on this day in 1967, went on to capture six major singles titles, including two more at Wimbledon, and took doubles Olympic gold in the 1992 Barcelona Games with Michael Stich.
He was inducted to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2003.
Recently, he’s had great success as a coach, helping Novak Djokovic claim four majors since they teamed up in December 2013.
1974: Joe Nathan, American baseball pitcher. From 2004- 2009, was considered one of the top closers in MLB (41).
1976: Regina Halmich, German pugilist. Europe’s most well known female boxer and one of all-time best (39).
1985: Asamoah Gyan, Ghanaian footballer. Ex-Al Ain striker, now at Shanghai SIPG. Played three Marouane Fellainis (30).
1987: Marouane Fellaini, Belgian international footballer, plays for Manchester United as a midfielder (28).
