Former German tennis player Boris Becker thanked world number one Novak Djokovic on Sunday for supporting him when he was in prison in the UK, adding that he regards the Serb as “probably the greatest player of all time”.
Becker revealed that his former student was always by his sideduring the presentation of a documentary about his prowess as a player and the difficulties he had after his career, at the Berlin Film Festival.
“Novak Djokovic became a member of the family. They know that we had a professional relationship for many years, which we ended in 2016,” said the 55-year-old six-time Grand Slam winner and former world number one.
“But we always stayed close, especially during my detention. He supported me and my family,” he added.
Becker was Djokovic’s coach from 2013 to 2016during which time the latter won six of his current 22 Grand Slam victories.
The Serb participates in the documentary entitled “Boom! Boom! The World vs. Boris Becker” (“Boom! Boom! The World Against Boris Becker”), directed by Alex Gibney for Apple TV+. “Boom, Boom” was the nickname Becker was given for his powerful serves.
Djokovic says in the documentary that Becker learned “mental strength” necessary to play under pressure.
“I am very proud that, the one who is probably the greatest player of all timebe part of a story about Boris Becker”, replied the German player. He also thanked the legends John McEnroe and Björn Borg for their participation in the film.
“Tennis currently has two kings, which is good,” he said, alluding to Djokovic and Spaniard Rafael Nadal. “That’s why tennis is so exciting” to watch, according to him.
The 55-year-old tennis player was released on December 15, after having served a prison term for financial violations, mainly related to a fraudulent bankruptcy. As soon as he left, he traveled to Germany.
Boris Becker, who had lived in the United Kingdom since 2012, had been sentenced in April for having concealed or illegally transferred hundreds of thousands of euros and pounds sterling to default on his debts, after declaring bankruptcy.
He was sentenced to two and a half years in prison. by a London court, but only served eight months.
