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Former tennis star Boris Becker
Photo: ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP
Boris Becker has appeared publicly for the first time since his imprisonment in Great Britain.
In an interview broadcast in the evening on TV station Sat.1, the tennis star spoke about his time in prison and the days surrounding his conviction.
"Of course I lost a lot of weight," said Becker.
»I went to prison with 97 kilos and then had almost 90 kilos.« And: »I felt hungry for the first time in my life, so I went to bed hungry.«
Becker was convicted by a London court in April for failing to properly declare parts of his assets in his bankruptcy proceedings.
He was released on Thursday.
Before the broadcast on Tuesday evening, the first quotes had already been published.
Becker told Sat.1 that his body had not suffered during his time in prison, on the contrary: in prison he had not drunk any alcohol, smoked and eaten very little for weeks or maybe months.
"Well, being in prison was definitely good for my health."
Becker also spoke about the London trial at the end of which he was convicted.
"Of course I was guilty," said Becker and reported again on the four of 24 charges on which he was found guilty.
“If I had been found guilty on all counts, I won't say 'for life', but well over eight months.
It was almost a matter of life and death,” said Becker.
Becker prepared himself with broadcasts from the judges
In preparation for the trial, Becker said he had "seen many judges' programs."
That's why he knew that Southwark Crown Court judge Deborah Taylor's statements that Becker had shown no remorse were standard sayings.
He did not say what programs he watched.
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Becker before the verdict with girlfriend Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro
Photo: ANDY RAIN/EPA
Becker also got emotional in the interview.
He had the most difficult moment before the verdict was announced with his partner, Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro, who was in the studio as a spectator during the interview and was caught by the cameras.
Becker had to tell her openly: "You don't have to wait for me.
You are a young woman, you stand with your own two feet in life.” Lilian hugged him and said: “Don't talk shit like that here, we can do it together.” Becker visibly fought back tears at the words.
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