Thirty years ago, German tennis legend Boris Becker came closer than ever before to a long-awaited triumph. Afterwards, a delicate hint caused controversy.
Three times winner at Wimbledon, twice at the Australian Open, once at the US Open, a total of 49 tournament victories – the list of achievements that Boris Becker celebrated in his career is incredibly long. But there was one thing that never worked out for him.
The man who sparked a German tennis boom with his Wimbledon victory in 1985 never won a tournament on clay. Becker reached the final six times on his least favorite surface, and six times he was defeated – sometimes by Pete Sampras, sometimes by Spanish-speaking specialists such as Sergi Bruguera, Alex Corretja, Alberto Mancini, or the recently deceased Juan Aguilera.
However, a lost final 30 years ago today was particularly painful, which Becker later described as the “worst defeat” of his entire career: the match against Thomas Muster on April 30, 1995, in Monte Carlo.
Becker’s indirect doping allegations caused a stir
Becker was leading 2-0 in sets and had two match points in the fourth set against the Austrian, who was considered the outstanding player on clay at the time. Never before and never since has Becker been closer to triumph on clay. But he squandered both opportunities, the second by just a few centimeters, and lost the final.
In the decisive fifth set, Becker ultimately had no chance and even suffered the ultimate punishment of losing 0-6 – the final score was 4-6, 5-7, 6-1, 7-6, 6-0 from Muster’s perspective.
Particularly noteworthy: Muster was injured and had to be treated in hospital for hypoglycemia after his semifinal victory against Italian Andrea Gaudenzi. Becker had probably expected an easier match and was sorely disappointed.
His opponent’s fighting spirit caught Becker off guard at the time. He was so angry that he made statements against Muster that were interpreted as indirect accusations of doping. “In the semi-finals, he was practically dying, and the next day he won the final in five sets. Something doesn’t add up,” said the now 57-year-old – causing quite a stir.
Becker and Muster: A long and difficult relationship
Muster’s manager Ronnie Leitgeb reacted with outrage, while his protégé underwent a voluntary doping test on Tuesday after his victory, which came back negative. Becker, who later claimed that his comments had been taken out of context, was fined $20,000 by the ATP.
“When you want something as badly as Becker, it doesn’t work. Many great players have been broken by that,” Muster commented on his triumph over Becker, who, in his view, had failed himself.
The relationship between the two ambitious contemporaries had been tense for a long time, not only because of the match and the circumstances surrounding it, but only improved after both had retired.
Becker’s clay court curse continued
Spurred on by his triumph in Monte Carlo, Muster followed up six weeks later, lived up to his role as favorite at the French Open, won his only Grand Slam title at Roland Garros with a clear three-set victory over Michael Chang in the final – and advanced to become world number one. The 57-year-old Styrian was not only successful in the principality in 1995, but also won in 1992 and 1996.
Becker, on the other hand, mourned his defeat against Muster for a long time and longed in vain for the end of his clay court curse – at least in singles.
It is worth mentioning that Becker celebrated one of his greatest victories on clay: the doubles with Michael Stich at the Olympic Games in Barcelona. Three years later, it was clear to everyone that Becker had only made a partial peace with his unloved surface and that the curse still haunted him.
