Boris Becker was, undoubtedly, one of the biggest tennis stars at the end of the 20th century. The German star rose to global fame in the mid-80s, becoming the youngest Wimbledon champion at 17 and later securing six Grand Slam titles. But beyond the trophies and accolades, Becker’s life took a dramatic turn after his tennis career, marred by financial scandals, legal battles, and even time behind bars.
Becker’s rise in tennis was meteoric. His powerful serve-and-volley game and fearless style earned him the nickname “Boom Boom.” He went on to win Wimbledon two more times, in 1986 and 1989, along with two Australian Open titles and one U.S. Open. By the early ’90s, Becker was ranked World No. 1 and seen as one of the sport’s greats.
After retiring in 1999, Becker remained a prominent figure in tennis, notably coaching Novak Djokovic between 2013 and 2016, helping him win six Grand Slam titles. He also dabbled in commentary, business ventures, and even celebrity poker. But while Becker’s public persona thrived, his financial affairs spiraled into chaos.
Bankruptcy and time in prison
In 2017, Becker’s financial troubles came to a head when he was declared bankrupt over debts exceeding £50 million. A series of bad investments, unpaid loans—including one tied to his Mallorca estate—and legal missteps left him drowning in financial woes.
Boris Becker was a star in the 1980s and 1990s (Getty Images)
“I blame my own laziness and bad advice,” Becker admitted to BBC Radio 5 Live. His legal saga intensified in 2022 when a London court found him guilty of concealing assets and debts, leading to a 30-month prison sentence.
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“Whoever says that prison life isn’t hard is lying,” he told the BBC, describing the experience as “brutal” and humbling. He shared how he had to “fight every day for survival” and that his fame meant nothing behind bars, where he was surrounded by “murderers, drug dealers, rapists, people smugglers, dangerous criminals.”
“You quickly have to surround yourself with the tough boys because you need protection,” Becker added. Yet, he insists the experience made him stronger: “I’m a survivor; I’m a tough cookie. If anything, this made me a stronger, better man.”
Boris Becker during a press conference (Angel Martinez/Getty Images for Laureus)
Becker was released after serving eight months and deported to Germany in late 2022. Though restrictions remain, Becker hopes to return to the UK. In 2024, he was discharged from bankruptcy court in London after a judge found Wednesday he had done “all that he reasonably could do” to repay creditors tens of millions of pounds.
What is Becker doing now?
Becker is far from fading into the background. He’s active on social media, sharing updates and commentary, and remains a key voice in the tennis world. His passion for the sport hasn’t dimmed—he’s made it clear he wants to return to Wimbledon, potentially in 2025. “I miss Wimbledon, of course. It’s my favorite tournament, the greatest one. I’m working on all fronts to return next year,” he said in 2024.
At 56, Becker is focused on building what he calls his life’s “third chapter.” From sports prodigy to legend, from celebrity to convict, Becker has lived many lives. However, his chapter in tennis is indelible.
