Boris Becker, who had been hoping to say this week that he would play one more Wimbledon, decided instead that he would not grace that tournament again after losing in the first round of the Gerry Weber Open yesterday.

Becker was beaten by a wild card entry, his 23-year-old compatriot Hendrik Dreekmann, 6-3 5-7 7-6 despite holding a 4-0 lead in the final set tie-break.

He eventually lost it 11-9, serving a double fault on the fifth match point of a 2-1/4-hour thriller.

"I was hoping that after this week, with some good results, I would be able to say yes (to playing at Wimbledon) but losing in the first round has decided it," Becker said.

"I knew I would have to win a couple of matches to have a chance. But I had been surprised at how things had turned around for me since playing in the Davis Cup, and I was giving myself one more chance here to see if I would have the potential to be a factor at Wimbledon.