Watching Novak Djokovic Play From One of the Worst Prisons Had an Emotional Impact on Boris Becker

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Vivek Devane | Last updated Sep 25, 2025 2:21 AM ET

German tennis legend Boris Becker has opened up about his time in prison and the emotional perspective it gave him on life. Becker, who was jailed for hiding £2.5 million worth of assets and loans to avoid paying debts, served eight months of a two-and-a-half-year sentence in one of the UK’s toughest prisons.

Despite the harsh realities of incarceration, tennis remained a constant in Becker’s life. He revealed that watching Novak Djokovic—whom he once coached—win Wimbledon while he was behind bars stirred powerful emotions.

"I was supporting Djokovic at the time I saw him on the TV, when he was winning matches and ultimately winning the title against Nick Kyrgios," Becker recalled in an interview with BBC. "That was very inspirational for me and in the end very emotional for me.”

“My brother Novak is there and I'm in one of the worst prisons in the world. So it puts life into perspective," added the German.

The six-time Grand Slam champion admitted that his downfall stemmed from the trappings of wealth and unchecked freedom. Looking back, he acknowledged how his comfortable lifestyle created the conditions for his mistakes.

"I was too comfortable. I had too much money. Nobody told me 'no'—everything was possible. In hindsight, that's the recipe for disaster," Becker said. "So, you take accountability for your actions, which is very important because you cannot look back any more. You cannot change the past. You can only change the future because you live in today."

Becker’s reflections reveal both regret and understanding. His time in prison may have been one of the darkest chapters of his life, but it also gave him clarity about personal responsibility, and the importance of cherishing the present.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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