He’s a nobody. His fellow convicts don’t care about his champion status. And: he had rediscovered the ‘man’ within himself. As Christmas approaches, German commercial channel Sat.1 broadcasts an exclusive interview with Boris Becker. He tells for the first time about the 231 days he spent in a British prison. Earlier this year, Becker was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for bankruptcy fraud.
A true prison drama starring Boris Becker
German TV viewers can opt not only for Christmas classics like A Christmas Carol, Home Alone and Love Actually this Christmas. They can also watch a real prison drama starring former tennis idol Boris Becker. For the first time since he was released on December 15 and immediately deported from England, Becker will reveal how he spent 231 days in British captivity.
Bankrupt Boris Becker: ‘In prison you are a number’
It took some getting used to for the three-time Wimbledon winner who amassed $25 million in prize money during his career. “Everyone cares about my status,” Becker admitted. ‘In prison you are nothing. You are just a number. My number is A2923EV.’ The food also didn’t match what Boris was used to. The food is not good and the portions are too small.
Boris Becker narrowly escaped death in prison
During an interview about ‘the worst time of my life’, Becker got angry several times. Among other things, when he said that thanks to the intervention of three fellow inmates, he narrowly escaped death when a convicted murderer threatened to attack him after an altercation. Becker was also distraught when he said that his current girlfriend, voluptuous Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro from the West African island nation of Sao Tome and Principe, promised not to let him down when he went to jail.
Bankrupt Boris Becker: ‘I’ve become more humble’
Becker, who has lost some weight, said he has used his 231 days in prison to reflect on his life. He had rediscovered his human side, the ‘Mensch’. “I’ve become more humble, I think I’ve found my old self.” It looks like Beckers’ journey through hell could bring him back to life. Apple TV+ announced a few weeks ago that it would be broadcasting a two-part documentary about the fallen champions.
Boris Becker withheld millions from his guardian
Becker was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison in April this year. The court found that after he was declared bankrupt in 2017, he had withheld more than two million euros from his trustee. Becker never pleaded guilty. He defended himself by saying that he was leaving the administration of his finances to his advisers. On December 15, the tennis legend was released early.
“Falls down a lot. General tv buff. Incurable zombie fan. Subtly charming problem solver. Amateur explorer.”
