Admin l Friday, March 10, 2023
BERLIN – Three-time Wimbledon champion and tennis star Boris Becker said on Friday he plans to be involved in tennis again after serving a prison term but is yet to decide in which capacity.
“I must sort myself out a little bit. I have offers. I must get my bearings before I take over responsibility and a job,” Becker said in Berlin at the presentation of a sponsorship deal.
The 55-year-old said that things had been “very positive” during his visit to Germany’s Davis Cup tie against Switzerland last month. Becker worked for the German Tennis Federation (DTB) as head of men’s tennis 2017-2020.
He was sentenced to prison in Britain in April 2022 for not properly declaring assets during bankruptcy proceedings, released in December and deported to his native Germany. He also coached world number one player Novak Djokovic in the past.
Former world number 2 Tommy Haas said he hoped that Becker would gets a new role in German tennis, telling dpa at the Indian Wells Masters where he is tournament organizer that it will depend on “what kind of job he sees for himself.”
Haas suggested that Becker could best help German tennis with a clearly defined and permanent role but acknowledged that he could also be of value in certain situations – depending on DTB strategy.
“I know that he did things for the DTB but I am not sure if it makes sense to have someone who is there for a week once in a while,” Haas said.
“Of course that can also help because everyone still listens when Boris talks about tennis. He is an absolute tennis idol, mine as well, and has done a lot. But you need top former players and coaches who are there all the time.
“You need this kind of support for the players who then know that they are always available on which they can rely. And then you can bring in a Boris or a [Patrik] Kühnen or a Michael Stich or myself every once in a while to try and motivate the players,” he said.
Haas added he hopes to meet Becker again, saying: “I am looking forward to seeing him again, to chat and find out how it all went, to learn what is new and how he wants to back German tennis.”
