LONDON, July 3: Boris Becker's quarter-final defeat to Pete Sampras today was his farewell singles appearance at Wimbledon.

The German said afterwards he would not be coming back because ``I don't feel I have what it takes to go all the way any more.''

Becker, who won the first of his three Wimbledon titles 12 years ago, will be 30 in November and confirmed he will not play any Grand Slam tournaments next year. He has yet to make up his mind whether to play in this year's US Open.

``I'm the type of guy who likes to go into a Grand Slam tournament with a chance of winning it and I don't feel it any more,'' he said.

``I feel very relieved. I feel I have come to the end of the road with my head held high. I always like to go out on top. Right now I feel I'm on top of the mountain and I can only go down. ``I haven't made up my mind about the Open yet, but there will be no Grand Slams after this year.''

Becker, who also won two Australian Open titles and the US Open in 1990, said he will always retain particularly fond memories of Wimbledon where he burst to prominence as a 17-year-old champion in 1985 ``Wimbledon means more than just winning for me. I've had a great time,'' he said.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.