"That would have been unthinkable when I was playing": Boris Becker now friends with Edberg, Lendl and Agassi post retirement

Former world number one Boris Becker has revealed that he is friends with some of the big-name players of his time post-retirement.

The 56-year-old is often regarded as one of the greatest tennis players from Germany to have played the sport, having won as many as six Grand Slam titles. Becker was recently quoted in a report where he stated that now he is friends with some of the fiercest rivals of his time including the likes of Stefan Edberg, Ivan Lendl and Andre Agassi.

"We literally fought each other on the tennis court, with every opportunity you have,” he said. “That's why this big fan base developed for our games, because everyone knew that they play for everything, that they don't give each other anything and that's what defines them."

"They are people that I respect and that I enjoy spending time with. That would have been unthinkable when I was active. Novak Djokovic obviously has the greatest respect for Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal. This may lead to a friendship in a few years."

Becker’s most successful competition was Wimbledon where he lifted the title three times. His first major title was also in London in 1985 where he defeated America’s Kevin Curren with a score of 6–3, 6–7(4–7), 7–6(7–3), 6–4. His last major title was the Australian Open in 1991 where he defeated Ivan Lendl of the Czech Republic with a score of 1–6, 6–4, 6–4, 6–4.