“Well first of all I have to be allowed back into the country, because of my deportation I’m not allowed yet” – Boris Becker admits UK ban still blocks his Wimbledon return

Boris Becker remains unable to return to the courts of Wimbledon, a place where he made tennis history by lifting the trophy three times during the 1980s. Despite being one of the most iconic champions at the All England Club, the German legend has not set foot in SW19 since his sentencing in 2022, which led to his deportation from the United Kingdom. Now, Becker has admitted that the major hurdle preventing his comeback to Wimbledon is not related to tennis but to his immigration status.

The 57-year-old explained that his absence from Wimbledon has nothing to do with the organisers of the tournament, but with his inability to re-enter the UK. Following his release from prison, Becker was deported and has since been working with the relevant authorities to resolve the matter. His wish is simple: to be able to return to London and once again feel part of the competition that defined much of his career.

Becker’s connection with Wimbledon runs deep. Half of his six Grand Slam titles came on the grass of the All England Club, and he later returned as a commentator for the BBC and as Novak Djokovic’s coach. For him, Wimbledon represents not only the pinnacle of his playing career but also one of the most meaningful stages of his life.

The German legend is also preparing for the release of his new book, Inside: Winning. Losing. Starting Again, in which he reflects on his time in prison and his life beyond the courts. He has revealed that writing the book was a therapeutic process, forcing him to revisit the darkest moments of his life and to be brutally honest about them.

In a candid interview, Becker addressed the reality of his absence from Wimbledon. “Well first of all I have to be allowed back into the country, because of my deportation I’m not allowed yet,” he admitted to Talk Sports. “I’m working closely with the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice just to give them enough reasons for me to come back.

For Becker, the process is less about persuading Wimbledon officials and more about convincing the UK government. His past has left bureaucratic barriers that overshadow his achievements, and the emotional weight of being separated from Wimbledon is evident in his words. Despite the setback, Becker maintains hope that one day he will walk through the gates of the All England Club again. “I love London, I love Wimbledon. I think once I’m allowed back I’m talking then with the responsible people at the tournament but I don’t think that’s going to be the issue. It’s more me being allowed back into the country.”

Alongside his battle to return to Wimbledon, Becker has channelled his experiences into literature. His new memoir, co-written with journalist Tom, is set to be released on Thursday and promises to uncover details about his imprisonment and personal struggles. “It’s been two and a half years since and HMP Wandsworth is only two miles from Wimbledon Centre Court but they are two completely different realities,” Becker reflected. “One is the best place in the world for a tennis player and the other one is one of the most dangerous prisons in the world.”

The juxtaposition of glory and downfall is at the heart of Becker’s story. Few athletes know both extremes so vividly, and he does not shy away from acknowledging it. “So I’ve lived both and in order to digest it to learn my lessons it was greatly therapeutic for me to sit down with Tom and it took us 15 months to write that book and I had to let it all out,” he explained. “In order to write a book like that you (have) got to be honest. You’ve got to talk about the things you really don’t want to talk about but how are you going to deal with it? I felt it was very, very necessary to do so.”