"Prefer to spend four hours on Instagram, then you simply don't deserve to be supported": Boris Becker scathing about next generation in German tennis

Friday, 31 July 2026 at 14:30

German tennis continues to struggle as despite Alexander Zverev leading the way as he has done for most of the past few years, there isn't really the talent there otherwise with the addition also that the women's game too isn't thriving. Boris Becker as a result has put it under the microscope as such.

In the women's game, Tamara Korpatsch has recently won titles but otherwise it has been led by Eva Lys and Laura Siegemund in particular in recent years and the next pathway isn't really there for the new names to achieve something that Becker is annoyed about as he takes aim at the next generation preferring to sit on Instagram than achieve.

He spoke as per Sportschau about what it takes in order to be at the top and said that some young players lack the obsession and discipline to reach the highest level and that some are just satisfied with their lot instead of wanting to reach the highest of heights which as a professional sportsman in his view is not good enough.

He said that you have to do more than the rest and achieve as a result, but that he sees in particular in German tennis that this is very much lacking.

Preferring to go on Instagram won't lead to success

"Do I play tennis just to take part or to win? Are you satisfied with being world No. 100? World No. 50? Or do you want to become the best player in the world?" he said as per Sportschau.

"If so, you have to do more than the others. You need people who have already played and know how training works at the international level."

He also believes that federations need to be more demanding of their players and how they support them. In particular if they are flagging and not giving as much as they need as they prefer to look on social media.

Boris Becker with a microphone in his hand

Becker damning about German stars.

As someone who has made it and also coached those who have made it too, Becker no doubt sees that for many the path is a short one to not actually achieving anything. Pretty scathing from the tennis icon.

"A mentor must see that a 17-year-old player has talent but doesn't devote most of their time to tennis, and then inform the federation. For me, that's essential: who observes this and what criteria are taken into account?"

"If at 16 or 17 you're not crazy about tennis and prefer to spend four hours on Instagram, then you simply don't deserve to be supported."

Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief

Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.

Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.

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