Boris Becker, the former professional tennis star has begun his career as a professional poker player.

He already signed a deal with PokerStars.com last November, in a team that includes top poker professionals Joe Hachem and Daniel Negreanu as well as his fellow German Katja Thater.

At the time Becker said, “When I was still playing professional tennis I started learning to play poker casually in-between games because it helped me to improve my concentration.

“Now I want to develop my poker skills and challenge myself to become really competitive at the highest levels in poker.”

Speaking more recently in an up-to-date article in German newspaper Die Welt, Becker said, “I have already been playing intensively since last year.

“What fascinates me about poker is the psychology: what is my opponent thinking of me and what do I think of him.”

Becker had an illustrious career in tennis.  He won no less than six Grand Slams including three Wimbledon titles.  He is hoping his winning mentality in tennis can be converted to poker.

The 40 year-old has been in good company, as he has been in some very intense poker training sessions with Barry Greenstein and Daniel Negreanu.

Becker is not the only former outdoor sports star to compete in the world of professional poker.  Recently, former cricketer Shane Warne has signed a deal with 888.com to participate in poker tournaments.

And Becker would love to see other former tennis stars compete with him at poker.

“I would like to know how people like Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, Stefan Edberg, Ivan Lendl or even Jimmy Connors, manage to keep their cool at poker,” said Becker.

Becker was due to play in the European Poker Tour German Open in Dortmund last month but pulled out because he had the flu.

He is now hoping to qualify in order to participate in the European Poker Tour Grand Final in Monte Carlo to take place next month which consists of a tough field of 800 professional players.