German tennis legend and six-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker recently reflected on watching Novak Djokovic’s Wimbledon triumph from prison. During the summer of 2022, the German followed the final from his cell, and he recalled how the noise erupting along the wing made the atmosphere “louder than ever.”
Boris Becker Recalls Being Emotional While Watching Novak Djokovic Win Wimbledon From His Cell
Becker built his legacy as one of the most dominant players in the Open Era, amassing 49 tour titles, including six Grand Slams. But nearly 23 years after his retirement, the German faced one of the toughest chapters of his life when he received a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence. During his insolvency proceedings, he was found guilty of concealing assets that should have been made available to his creditors.
In fact, the judge noted that Becker had diverted the funds to cover obligations to his children and dependents, as well as medical bills, and other expenses. However, the tennis legend served eight months in a London prison after being convicted of reportedly hiding £2.5 million in assets and loans to avoid repaying his debts. After completing eight months of imprisonment, he was deported to Germany by the UK authorities.
Recently, in a conversation with The Guardian, Becker reflected on his time in prison and described what it was like to watch Djokovic’s 2022 Wimbledon triumph from his cell. Becker said that when Djokovic won the London Major, inmates in his prison wing erupted in loud, continuous banging to celebrate.
“I wasn’t afraid any more. And when Novak won, and raised his arms, I stood up and raised my arms too. As I did so, the noise along the wing broke out again, louder than ever before. The banging didn’t stop for 10 minutes. On walls, on doors. With cups, with chairs. It had taken me two weeks to educate them that this was my man, and now I realised. They had understood. I stood there and I cried,” he said.
Becker played a pivotal role in Djokovic’s career, having coached the Serb during one of his most dominant stretches. Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, captured six of those titles under Becker’s guidance between 2013 and 2016.
MORE: Patrick Mouratoglou Breaks Down Novak Djokovic’s Journey Amid Player Injuries and Burnout
Djokovic added another landmark to his career as he secured his 101st title, defeating Lorenzo Musetti in a demanding three-hour final at the Hellenic Championship in Athens. The triumph pushed him closer to Roger Federer and Jimmy Connors on the all-time titles chart.
