Davis Cup: Boris Becker - guest of honor in the feel-good area
With his return to the German Davis Cup team, Boris Becker created a good atmosphere. And visibly enjoyed the days in Trier despite the 2:3 defeat against Switzerland.
by Jens Huiber
last edit:
Feb 05, 2023, 09:33 am
By Jens Huiber from Trier
No, Boris Becker kindly refused all requests to declare himself on TV or any other medium this weekend. The fact that the German tennis legend might be present at the Davis Cup meeting with Switzerland in the Trier Arena was already circulating before the competition began. Becker actually arrived on Friday. And exactly where he probably still enjoys it the most: on the court.
Boris Becker and the Davis Cup - what is the experienced, somewhat elderly tennis observer thinking about? Hartford 1987 and the legendary match against John McEnroe? Of the game against Andre Agassi that Becker won in Munich in 1989 after five fantastic sets? Or was it Gothenburg in 1988, when the Red Baron dismantled Stefan Edberg in singles and, together with Eric Jelen in doubles, scored the third and decisive point for Germany's first Davis Cup triumph?
Zverev and Becker have known each other for a long time
Becker briefly exchanged views with Jelen, the host in Trier and honored on Saturday before the doubles, and with Carl-Uwe Steeb, who also played a key role in the German title win 35 years ago in Gothenburg. However, the attention of the now 55-year-old belonged to the current German selection.
Captain Michael Kohlmann explained that Boris Becker was invited to come and join the team in Trier. And if you believe the voices of the players, then they really benefit from Becker's presence.
Oscar Otte took some advice on his serve into the match against Marc-Andrea Huesler, on Saturday Becker appeared on the pitch with Daniel Altmaier, the relationship with Alexander Zverev is known to have been excellent for many years.
What does the future of the Davis Cup look like?
And during the matches, Boris Becker withdrew to the comfort area, i.e. the players’ seats behind the referee’s chair. Never missed a rally and got up after every point won for Germany. Remained a fixture in the German box until Stan Wawrinka's match point against Altmaier.
In Trier, Becker experienced a home game like in his best days, albeit only on two days and with matches in a best-of-three format. And that would have been a question that you would have liked to ask Boris Becker: how he sees the future of the Davis Cup. Because it will no longer be like it was in Hartford, Munich and Gothenburg.