Following on the heels of Tennis Ace Rafael Nadal’s association with online poker giant, PokerStars, another tennis player has extended his association with the poker game. Boris Becker has been signed up with Global Poker Index, a poker ranking as well as poker information website. The six-time grand slam champion will, as part of his commitment to GPI promote the game of poker as well as the GPI rankings.
According to a press release by GPI-
“The Global Poker Index is proud to announce that former World #1 tennis professional, and poker enthusiast Boris Becker has become the newest voice of support on behalf of the GPI.
As the GPI’s newest advocate the six-time Grand Slam Champion is set to promote poker and its players in new ways, bridging the game with the world of sports and helping to push our game-changing ranking system into the public limelight. Becker has grown from a poker novice, dabbling in his first tournaments, to become one of the biggest celebrity names actively in the game today. The GPI is thrilled to have his full support going forward.”
Becker who has been seen in several poker tournaments and played the EPT outings in 2013 is the perfect sporting ambassador for the game. Off late, Becker ha shown great temperament and flair for the poker game and is fast becoming a known face on the circuit. Becker will now be the second tennis player after Rafael Nadal who is brand ambassador to PokerStars to endorse a poker site.
Further in the pres releae, Becker and the CEO of GPI were quoted as saying-
“There are a lot of similarities between tennis and poker,” said Becker. “Players are required to make good decisions at the most opportune times in each game. Tennis rankings have been instrumental in turning tennis players into superstars recognized the world over, I hope to be able to help do the same for poker and poker players.”
“We are very excited at the opportunity to work with the legendary Boris Becker,” said Global Poker Index CEO Alexandre Dreyfus. “Boris is one the most recognized athletes in the world and has been involved in poker for a few years now. The fact that he is ready and willing to work with us in growing the game and promoting the players makes me very proud to have our organization associated with such a legend.”
It is interesting to note that the German tennis legend is joining GPI at a time when his countrymen are thriving in the top 10 of the GPI Rankings. With Ole Schemion, Marvin Rettenmaier and Philipp Gruissem in the top 10 of the GPI rankings, Germans are currently making their presence felt in international poker.
GPI also announced that Becker will also serve as Honorary President of the 2014 Global Poker Index European Poker Awards, to be presented in January 2015 and will be more of a presence at poker events in the coming year.