Boris Johnson is no Becker but proves a smash hit on-court anyway

One is the Mayor of London. The other is a six-time Grand Slam Champion. One has built a reputation of playing jester, especially in sports. The other made his career on the tennis courts. Meet Boris Johnson and Boris Becker, who with blond locks and affable grins, share more than just a name.

On Sunday evening at The Queen's Club in London, the Mayor of the city Boris Johnson played an exhibition tennis match against tournament winner Andy Murray to raise money for a Rally against Cancer. (See pictures)

Earlier on Sunday, Murray had defeated Marin Cilic 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 to be crowned the men's singles champion at Queen's Club for the third time. But it was Johnson and his antics with the racquet that entertained the crowd.

With his tongue sticking out throughout the exhibition match, the Mayor passed, volleyed, aced and returned to raise over 200,000 Pounds for the fight against cancer.

What is most noticeable about Johnson is his striking resemblance to tennis legend Becker. Despite Becker having won six Grand Slam titles, an on-looker could be forgiven for mistaking one for the other.

According to a report in The Daily Mail, Becker and Johnson share more than just their first names. When visiting India in November last year, Johnson was asked whether he was the former three-time Wimbledon champion. Johnson reportedly took this query in his stride and replied, "I reckon I could give Boris Becker a run around on the tennis court if I was asked to."

The Mayor of London attempted a wide array of shots at Queen's but displayed none of the poise, guile and precision as exemplified by Becker in his hey-days.

The two are poles apart in terms of skill on the court. In 2011, Johnson admitted to being defeated by school children at a tennis match in London. "You can be completely hopeless at sport, as indeed I am,' he said at the time. "But you can still get something out of it, you can still enjoy it and you can learn about defeat which is a vital skill for everybody to learn."

Similarity between the two does not end there though. Becker famously fathered a daughter, Anna, after a 'brief' affair with model Angela Ermakova. The British media has reported that Johnson too fathered a love-child in 2009.

Johnson's penchant for playing the fool in sporting events is well known. Earlier this year, he netted an amazing trick shot on a basketball court while promoting a tournament in London.

Johnson's tennis skills may not match up to that of Becker. But since he's a dead ringer (almost) for the other Boris, his on-court antics are smash-hits.