Tennis champ Boris Becker, 33, filed for divorce from his estranged wife, Barbara Becker, 34, on Thursday in Germany. Earlier this month, she obtained a court order in Florida claiming that he abandoned her and requiring that the couple's two children, Noah, 6, and Elias, 15 months, remain with her in the couple's $3.1 million Miami-area home. Boris argues in his filing that Barbara's case should be dismissed because, according to their 1993 prenuptial agreement, their divorce is to be handled in his homeland. Becker's lawyers also contend that the Florida court order is irrelevant, given that Becker already provides Barbara with an "extraordinarily generous monthly allowance."

  • Note to Readers: With Christmas on Monday, the PEOPLE.com Daily column will take the day off but will return on Tuesday. Happy holidays to all.