The German star, 40, proposed to Alessandra 'Sandy' Meyer-Wolden, 24, during a holiday in Sardinia over the weekend.

Alessandra is a jewellery designer and the daughter of Becker's late manager, Axel Meyer-Wolden, who died in 1997.

She was only a baby when Becker claimed his first Wimbledon final in 1985.

"I am unbelievably happy and in love," she said of the engagement.

They announced their news to family and friends on Sunday, Becker's spokeswoman confirmed.

This will be the second marriage for Becker, who divorced wife Barbara Feltus seven years ago. The couple have two children. He also has a daughter by Angela Ermakova, the result of a well-publicised romp in the broom cupboard of London restaurant Nobu in 1999.

Although he has known Alessandra since she was a child, their relationship only recently moved to a romantic footing.

In an interview in May, shortly before this year's Wimbledon tournament, Becker said of his home life: "I have a housekeeper who takes care of the domestic side of things. If I'm in for the evening she'll rustle something up for me, as I'm a terrible cook. I'd probably died of starvation if left to my own devices. I guess the root of the problem is that I live on my own. If I had a wife or a live-in girlfriend it'd be easier - but I don't want to ask a girl to live with me just so she can take care of the house or put food on the table. That would definitely be the wrong attitude."