Tennis: Grand Slam Cup - Becker leaves his options open as he prepares for a long goodbye

Boris Becker, given a wild card for the $6m Compaq Grand Slam Cup, was beaten in the first round by Sweden's Jonas Bjorkman in Munich yesterday. John Roberts looks at what the future holds for the semi-retired three- times Wimbledon champion.

The organisers were leaving their options open. "Auf Wiedersehen, Boris Becker," declared the announcer in the Olympic Hall as Germany's tennis icon packed his bag, waved and departed from the Compaq Grand Slam Cup. Goodbye, until the next time.

Becker took exception to the "goodbye" bit. "Unfortunately, the speaker in the hall announced that," he said. "I don't know how he got that information. He didn't get it from me. I cannot definitely say that I won't play here any more.''

Triumphant here last year, eliminated by Sweden's Jonas Bjorkman, 6-3, 6-2, in the opening round yesterday after being ushered into the event with a wild card, the idol does not intend to be idle - except when the Grand Slam championships are played. "Obviously, I won't play Grand Slams anymore, and I won't play a full schedule," Becker said.

Since qualification for the Munich dollarfest is decided on results in the four major championships, how can he expect to be considered for a similar exemption next year?

"I don't expect it," Becker responded. "It has to be decided by the Grand Slam chairmen and the company of the Compaq Grand Slam Cup.''

Becker says he is motivated to continue as a part-time player, with the Davis Cup a priority, until replacements emerge to fill the gap in German tennis left by himself and Michael Stich. That is like Britain waiting for another Fred Perry.

Valedictions were written during Wimbledon in July, after Becker confided his decision to retire from major championships to Pete Sampras over the Centre Court net after losing to the world No 1 in the quarter-finals.

The death of his manager, Axel Meyer-Wolden, the founder and chairman of the Grand Slam Cup, prevented Becker from competing in the US Open last month. Although adamant he can no longer put in the effort demanded of Grand Slams, speculation regarding a change of heart is bound to increase ahead of Wimbledon. If fit and in reasonable form, would he be able to resist the temptation?

"You know," he said, "we are in September right now. I can speak calmly about Wimbledon of next year. By the time the tournament comes around, I'm probably going to be very nervous and very tempted to play. But I hope I'm wise enough and smart enough to have people holding me back.''

QUARTER-FINAL LINE-UP (Today): M Rios (Chile) v P Rafter (Aus), C Pioline (Fr) v P Korda (Cz Rep). Tomorrow: G Rusedski (GB) v Y Kafelnikov (Rus), P Sampras (US) v J Bjorkman (Swe).

Tim Henman, who won his second title of the year in Tashkent two weeks ago, disappointingly lost - 4-6, 7-6, 6-2 to the German Nicolas Kiefer - in the second round of the Toulouse tournament last night.