The former world tennis star Boris Becker, 55, spoke for the first time in an interview after his release from prison. The most impressive statements at a glance.
The face is more angular, the hair copper blond. Externally, too, the experiences behind bars have left their mark on the former world tennis star. Boris Becker, 55, has spent a total of 231 days in British custody. A time that he believes has changed him. “I think I rediscovered the person I used to be,” said Becker – who was “just a number” in prison, A2923EV – in his first interview after his release ().
In the pre-recorded exclusive conversation with moderator Steven Gätjen, Becker was thoughtful and remorseful. The most important statements at a glance:
- “No, of course I was guilty” (when asked if he was innocent in prison)
- “I felt hungry for the first time in my life. I went to bed hungry for the first time. (…) I ate little for weeks, maybe months, until I got better organized.” (when asked what health or physical consequences his imprisonment had on him)
- “Of course, when the judge gave me 30 months, my heart sank.”for the verdict)
- “You did everything to save my life. Maybe I could have shown more remorse. (…) I did my best” (when asked whether his lawyers had given him the right advice)
- “It was very good for me that all the children accepted it honestly and strongly. That touched me very much. The most difficult thing was when I said to my partner: ‘You don’t have to wait for me. (…) I don’t know ‘how long I have to go to jail.'” (about the moments before the sentencing)
- “It’s about bare survival, every day. Every day you get out of your cell and fight for your skin – because the guards don’t do it” (about the prison)
- “I was shaking so much (…) He wanted to do my laundry and verbally explained to me what he wanted to do with me.” (about threats from a fellow inmate)
- “You go crazy in the cell. You climb the wall, which isn’t particularly high. But after ten days of the job, my life has normalized a bit in prison.” (after getting a prison job teaching English and math)
- “Of course I was ashamed, more than embarrassed to have been convicted”
- “Prison is a different world. (…) Everyone is the same. (…) I also believe that I will remain connected to some prisoners forever. (…) I believe that I will keep in touch with some prisoners, I hope that I will soon be able to see in freedom.” (about fellow inmates who meant a lot to him)
- “It took a prison for us to really get as close as we’ve ever been in freedom” (about his many conversations with daughter Anna Ermakowa)
- “I didn’t have a moment where I had the feeling that something was breaking up or she was losing patience or desire or love” (about the relationship with his partner Lilian De Carvalho Monteiro)
- “During that time it was the worst time of my life. (…) But maybe I needed that. (…) I’ve cleaned myself up. I’ve seen my mistakes. (…) I’ve made mistakes for years, I’ve had false friends , wasn’t organized enough, didn’t pay attention to detail, let myself drift and maybe got lazy.(…) I think that jail time brought me back.(…) I think it gave me a second chance.It’s up now me to continue on this path. (…) I think prison was good for me.”
- “A friend of mine offered to organize a private plane for me (…) I didn’t want to arrive in a hustle and bustle.” (why, after being released, he landed on a private plane in Stuttgart, after guesswork about his whereabouts)
Becker was sentenced to prison by a London court at the end of April for failing to properly declare parts of his assets in his bankruptcy proceedings. He was finally released on Thursday. The broadcaster had already distributed the first quotes from the conversation now shown ().
ex-tennis star
Boris Becker released from prison: the highs and lows of his life
Steven Gätjen on Boris Becker: “I think he’s really willing to clean up”
Moderator Steven Gätjen, who has already met Becker in preparation: “I think he’s really willing to clean up and clarify a lot of things.” As Gätjen has described, it was Becker’s description of the first days in Wandsworth Prison that stuck in his mind. “There are not only people there who have committed financial crimes, but also sex offenders, murderers and people who have committed major robberies. Boris Becker told me that he was very afraid of ending up in a collective cell.”
Shortly before his arrest in April, Becker was emotional in an interview with Apple TV +. “I’ve hit my rock bottom. I’ll see what I do with it,” he said tearfully at the time. A few days later he went to prison.
Becker’s misery in London began when he was declared bankrupt by a court in 2017. In fact, such procedures can be ended quite quickly in Great Britain. But with Becker it took a long time. Humiliating episodes followed: Among other things, some of his trophies and other personal memorabilia were publicly auctioned off.
But it got even worse: his insolvency administrator accused Becker of concealing assets worth millions. The tennis legend had to go to court. In the spring trial, Becker pleaded innocent on all counts. His attorney portrayed him as a man who was often overwhelmed with life as a star off the tennis court, often left decisions to others and little concerned with the consequences of his own actions. But the jury only partially believed him and found Becker guilty on several counts.
Sources: , with material from the DPA news agency
Source: Stern
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