Boris Becker on his prison term: "A hard lesson"
Boris Becker also drew positive energy from his difficult time in prison and rediscovered something in himself. Still, it was a tough lesson for the 55-year-old.
by SID
last edit:
Dec 20, 2022, 02:04 pm
From the headlights it went directly behind bars, Boris Becker was suddenly "just a number. Mine was A2923EV. You're nobody in prison," said the 55-year-old in the first interview after his release from British custody. The tennis icon also drew strength from the difficult time, "I think I rediscovered the person I used to be," said Becker on Sat.1.
Becker left Huntercombe Prison in London on Thursday. Just before Christmas, a good eight months after his conviction for misdemeanor bankruptcy proceedings, he benefited from the fact that British prisons are overcrowded and is a free man again. He only had to leave his adopted country of England.
Becker packed on the last day
Becker anxiously awaited his departure. In the last hours before his deportation to Germany, Becker needed a lot of patience, as before. "I sat on the edge of my bed from six in the morning and hoped that the cell door would open," said the six-time Grand Slam winner in "Sat.1 Spezial. Boris Becker": "They came at half past seven, unlocked and asked: Are you ready? I said: 'Let's go!' I had already packed everything."
The most difficult time in his life left its mark on Becker. Visually, he is narrower in the face, but of course, above all mentally. He "learned a hard lesson, a very expensive one, a very painful one," admitted Becker. And now he's trying to make something out of it in freedom. Because the whole thing just "taught him something important and good. And some things happen for a good reason."
"Wandsworth is the worst prison in England"
The picture had already reported on Monday evening, a good 24 hours before the exclusive interview was broadcast, that Becker was popular with fellow prisoners and guards. He spent the first time in Wandsworth, later he was transferred to Huntercombe.
"Wandsworth is the worst prison in England. But Boris Becker was lucky enough to be able to work as a teacher for German and math after two weeks," the newspaper quoted an unnamed former fellow prisoner as saying. The prominent prisoner worked regularly, earned some money and gave away items of clothing when he was allowed to leave.
Becker wants to clean up
“After the first four days in solitary confinement, the only goal for him was to get out and work. He just wanted to get some fresh air. He said he would have done everything for it,” said moderator Steven Gätjen, who interviewed Sat .1 led and visited Becker at Huntercombe.
The low point could also be a turning point in the life of the tennis legend. "I think Boris Becker is really willing to clean up and clarify a lot of things," said Gätjen. Briefly, Becker is back in the spotlight. It will be interesting to see how things will continue afterwards.