Boris Becker says it is one of the biggest lies to think that "prison is life is easy," and claims he witnessed people self-harming and even attempting suicide.
In late April 2022, a British court found Becker guilty of hiding assets after declaring bankruptcy, and he was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison. Initially, the former world No. 1 started serving his sentence at Handsworth Prison before being transferred to Huntercombe. In the end, the German tennis legend didn't end up serving his entire sentence as he was released just before Christmas and deported back to Germany.
Becker: In jail, people do kill themselves and go crazy
That Friday night until the Tuesday morning when I finally was let out to speak to the Listeners [trusted prisoners who support new inmates] were the three most difficult nights of my life," the former six-time Grand Slam champion, via The Guardian.
ADVERTISEMENT
"You cant sleep because all of it is true. In jail, people do kill themselves, people do harm themselves and people do go crazy. Its the harsh reality when you have never been to prison and thats what your lawyers dont tell you before maybe not to scare you. HMP Wandsworth is probably one of the toughest prisons in the UK so to be put in there was quite a shock.
Between April and December of 2022, Becker spent a total of 231 days behind bars. Addressing that, the 57-year-old noted that his days were long because "22 hours" a day he was spending in his prison cell. In the same interview, the former world No. 1 admitted that it helped him take "full accountability" for his actions.
Since being released from prison, Becker has returned to work in tennis. He briefly coached Holger Rune and also does tennis commentary and expertise during Grand Slams.
ADVERTISEMENT
However, Becker remains banned from entering the United Kingdom and therefore attending Wimbledon.
