Boris Becker opens up on life in prison, friendship with Jurgen Klopp in first TV interview
- Planet Sport writer
- 22 December 2022
Boris Becker has given his first interview since being released from a UK prison, with his appearance shocking many viewers.
Looking gaunt and emotional, Becker reflected on the most traumatic year of his life as he gets used to life back in his homeland.
An emotional three-time former Wimbledon champion gave an interview to German network Sat TV, days after he was released from a UK prison after serving eight months of his sentence for tax evasion.
The former world number one turned commentator was declared bankrupt on June 21, 2017 - owing creditors almost £50m - over an unpaid loan of more than £3m on his estate in Majorca.
The 55-year-old German, who has lived in the UK since 2012, was expected to serve half of his sentence behind bars but was released last Thursday morning and deported back to Germany.
Now he has claimed Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was keen to visit him during his time in jail, as he offered up these comments.
"We are good friends and I gave his name to the authorities but then they came back and said that he couldn't come as he was too famous and they were concerned for his safety," Becker claimed.
"I was allowed two visits a month and I had to give these names to the authorities so they could be checked out but it is a very slow process.
"The first time Lilian [Becker's girlfriend] came she said she was shocked at how I looked, although she only told me that later."
Becker has lived in the UK for many years, but he will need to get used to life back in Germany now and the interview saw him open up on his time behind bars.
"Prison is all about survival," he stated.
"This is the detention centre for criminals from London. Murderers, child molesters. There was no mirror. Later I wondered what I looked like.
"I'm also shocked by how I've changed. I made the mistake of only taking black stuff with me. I wanted to look cool, to do a bit of a gangster.
"But the whole thing has something important and good for me learned. And some things happen for a good reason.
"You're nobody in prison," he continued. "You're just a number. Mine was A2923EV.
"I wasn't called Boris. I was a number. And they don't give a f*** who you are."
Former world No 1 Novak Djokovic was among those who came out in support of Becker, as he offered these words for his former coach when his sentence was confirmed.
"He's a friend, a long-time friend, someone I consider close in my life and has contributed a lot to my success in my career," Djokovic 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.
"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."
Becker may not be allowed back in the UK for several years, meaning his days as a BBC analyst at Wimbledon may be over.
John McEnroe and Sue Barker came under fire after they showed their support for Becker live on air during last summer's Wimbledon championships.
