Formula One mogul Bernie Ecclestone plotted a £600m bid to buy Wimbledon , it has emerged.
The 84-year-old teamed up with Boris Becker's former manager, Ion Tiriac, to discuss a potential swoop around 20 years ago.
Ecclestone also claimed that the pair held discussions about mounting a bid to take over the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).
Tiriac, a former top 10 player himself, revealed the discussions took place while the pair were watching Goran Ivanisevic play.
“I was sitting here with Bernie Ecclestone, we were watching Goran Ivanisevic playing on No. 1 Court and there were three rain breaks,” said Tiriac, who has a reported wealth of over $1bn.
“He said, ‘How much do you think Wimbledon makes?’ I said, ‘Maybe 50, 60 [million]’.
“He said, ‘We should buy it out, £600m, you and me. We can get a roof on the court in two months’.”
Ecclestone, speaking to the Telegraph, confirmed the discussions, adding: “At the time, we were looking to try and take over the ATP and run the tennis.
“Ion is a very good friend of mine. He used to run a lot more tennis tournaments than anybody. That’s how it all happened.
“We were very serious. I don’t think in the end we made any sort of offer. We were looking to see if it was possible and how we would do it.
“Until we got everything lined up properly, we couldn’t make a bid. We needed to make sure all the other people were on board.”
