Boris Becker Acknowledges Paternity

BERLIN (AP) â€” Retired tennis star Boris Becker acknowledged Wednesday that he is the father of a 10-month-old girl born to a Russian model living in London. <br><br>``I acknowledge the fatherhood. I

Wednesday, February 7th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

BERLIN (AP) â€” Retired tennis star Boris Becker acknowledged Wednesday that he is the father of a 10-month-old girl born to a Russian model living in London.

``I acknowledge the fatherhood. I take responsibility and will provide for little Anna,'' the three-time Wimbledon champion said in a statement issued by his spokesman in Munich. ``Whatever I can contribute so that Anna will have a future as a happy girl, I will do.''

A paternity test Becker sought corroborated the claim by the mother, 33-year-old Angela Ermakova, that he was the father, the brief statement said.

Legal proceedings in the paternity case began Monday. Becker's legal team met briefly with Ermakova's lawyers at the High Court in London, but neither side would comment after the 20-minute hearing on whether Ermakova's paternity suit will go ahead.

In mid-January, a Munich court granted a divorce to Becker, 33, and his 34-year-old wife, Barbara, a former actress and singer, after a bitter international court battle.