

Tennis is a sport steeped in history, with legendary figures like Boris Becker, who made waves by winning Wimbledon at just 17 years old in 1985 and again in 1986. These victories not only cemented his place in the sport’s annals but also paved the way for a generation of tennis greats. A good deal of tennis legends have retired, leaving behind a legacy of memorable wins that continues to inspire new generations. Today, retired stars like Rafael Nadal and rising stars like Carlos Alcaraz continue to inspire. And Becker is proud to have been part of this rich heritage.
As the 2025 Indian Wells Open comes to a close, some fascinating moments have caught our attention. Carlos Alcaraz, the defending champion, was on a mission to secure his third consecutive title. However, his campaign ended abruptly in the semi-finals, where he faced a tough battle against Jack Draper. Despite winning the second set convincingly, Alcaraz ultimately lost 6-1, 0-6, 6-4. Interestingly, Alcaraz still holds a remarkable feat alongside these legends, as highlighted by a fun statistic from the Break The Deuce Instagram account.
This statistic reveals the youngest Indian Wells champions, with Boris Becker topping the list by winning the 1987 title at just 19 years and 2 months old. Following closely is Carlos Alcaraz, who won his title in 2023 at 19 years and 10 months. Other notable names include Michael Chang—1992, 20 years 9 days, Jim Courier—1991, 20 years 6 months, and Rafael Nadal—2007 at 20 years and 9 months. Nadal’s achievements at Indian Wells are impressive, with three titles (2007, 2009, 2013) under his belt.
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Becker actively expressed his joy by resharing the post to his Instagram story and writing, “In good company,” showing his happiness at being mentioned alongside these names in history.
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Additionally, like Carlos, Boris Becker was also a two-time Indian Wells Open champion for two consecutive years in 1987 and 1988! Don’t forget, he won his first title at the 1985 Wimbledon at just 17 years old, marking the first Grand Slam won by a German in the Open Era. While he had his share of ups and downs, it can’t be denied that the former world No.1 was a huge part of tennis. Understandably, he was upset at being left out of a list of youngest players’ feat.
Boris Becker expressed his disappointment at being left out of the list of youngest champions.
The tennis world is abuzz with excitement over the new wave of players taking center stage, and Joao Fonseca is leading the charge. Last month, this 18-year-old Brazilian sensation made history by winning his first ATP Tour title at the 2025 Argentina Open in Buenos Aires. Fonseca defeated hometown favorite Francisco Cerúndolo in the final, securing a straight-set victory of 6-4, 7-6(1). This triumph not only made him the youngest South American to win an ATP title since 1990, but also the tenth youngest in ATP Tour history.
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Fonseca’s impressive run didn’t stop after his Argentina Open win. He also made headlines at the Australian Open by defeating 12th-seed Thiago Agustín Tirante in the qualifiers and 9th-ranked Andrey Rublev in a thrilling, first-round match. His success has been a topic of discussion across social media platforms, with Tennis TV highlighting his achievement alongside other young champions. However, German tennis legend Boris Becker couldn’t help but chime in.
He re-shared a post about the youngest ATP champions with a cheeky remark: “Did you forget about me? … BB.” Becker’s legacy, including his historic Wimbledon wins, remains unparalleled. He is often described as an iconic figure in tennis, having turned pro at just 17 in 1984. Born in 1967, he made history by winning his first professional doubles title in Munich at the same age.
However, his most remarkable achievement was becoming the youngest and first unseeded Wimbledon champion in 1985 at just 17. This is a feat that remains a significant milestone in tennis history. A year later, Becker proved his first win wasn’t a fluke by defending his Wimbledon title in style, dropping only two sets in seven matches at the age of 19.
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But while he wasn’t included on the list of youngest ATP champions, his legacy at Indian Wells is certainly well appreciated. As the tennis world continues to evolve, it’s exciting to see legends like Becker and newcomers, like Fonseca, making waves in their own ways.
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