"Super sad and heartbroken for him" - Djokovic on Boris Becker sentencing

Novak Djokovic was to see his former coach Boris Becker get jailed for hiding assets while declaring bankruptcy.

Three-time former Wimbledon champion Becker was jailed for two-and-a-half years in London this week for hiding £2.5million worth of assets and loans to avoid paying his debts. Becker remained high profile following retirement through his work as a TV pundit and as a successful coach of Djokovic for three years from December 2013.

Speaking in Madrid, Djokovic said:

“Just heartbroken for him. He’s a friend, a long-time friend, a coach for three, four years, someone I consider close in my life and has contributed a lot to my success in my career. I’m not going to get into details of the verdict, because I’m not in a position to do that, but, as his friend, I’m super sad for him. It’s not much that you can say."

He further said:

“I just hope he will go through this period that he has to be in jail and that when he comes out he’s able to live his life – I don’t know if we’ll use the word ‘normal’ because life is definitely changing for anybody going to prison, especially for that long of a time. So I don’t know how things will turn out for him. I just pray for him. I hope things will be well in terms of his health, his mental health, because that’s going to be the most challenging part.”