German tennis champion Boris Becker has split from his girlfriend of three years, CAROLINE ROCHER.

The 37-year-old, who today (26JUL05) announced his advertising deal with brewery Koenig Pilsener, Berlin, confirmed that he and ballet dancer Rocher are no longer an item.

In the next issue of German magazine Gala, out on Thursday (28JUL05), Becker explains the reason for the separation is down to how little time the couple had for each other.

He says, "It's a fact. The love couple of Caroline and Boris is no more. The relationship was in a state of crises for almost half a year now especially because I'm always out of town."

Becker adds that he never cheated on Rocher and that the split was amicable.

He has two sons and a five-year-old daughter, ANNA, who was famously conceived in a restaurant broom cupboard during a drunken romp with Russian model ANGELA ERMAKOWA.

26/07/2005 01:52