"I had no other choice": Boris Becker opens up about time spent in prison

Former world number one Boris Becker has opened up about his prison time. The 57-year-old, who is widely regarded as the greatest German player in the history of men’s tennis, was imprisoned in the United Kingdom back in 2022 for concealing assets worth of £2.5 million. The scandal initiated after Becker declared bankruptcy.

He was handed two-and-a-half years in prison but was released after eight months. Becker recently spoke to Sports Illustrated, where he opened up about spending time in prison. The 57-year-old got emotional and stated that he had learnt a lot of things just to survive during his time in prison.

“Every crisis I've survived in my life has been positive; I've always learned more from my defeats than from my victories,” he said. “But this was certainly a very existential crisis, in which it was important to find myself again. Just like before Wimbledon 1986. I was in a sporting crisis and decided to do what I believe is right. It worked. Even during that time in prison, I found myself again. I had no other choice. When you lose everything—your freedom, your family, your money, your house—the only thing that remains is your personality, your character. And that's what I retreated to. My inner self has always been my refuge in difficult times.”

Becker finished his career in 1999 after winning six Grand Slam titles in his illustrious career. He was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame in 2003. Overall, Becker won 49 titles in his career. Out of the majors, Wimbledon was his most successful competition, where he lifted the title three times. His first major title was Wimbledon in 1985, where he defeated America’s Kevin Curren in the final in a five-set thrilling contest with a score of 6–3, 6–7(4–7), 7–6(7–3), 6–4. Becker’s last major title was the Australian Open in 1996, where he got the better of America’s Michael Chang in the final with a score of 6–2, 6–4, 2–6, 6–2.