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Boris Becker at the Berlinale
Photo:
Monika Skolimowska / dpa
The relationship between Boris Becker and his home country Germany is a difficult one.
At least that's how the tennis star sees it himself: "Especially in Germany, it is often not allowed that the youngest Wimbledon winner of all time has grown up," said the 55-year-old during the Berlinale.
"I've never been able to please everyone."
At the International Film Festival in Berlin on Sunday afternoon, the first of two parts of the production »Boom!
Boom!
The World vs. Boris Becker« by director Alex Gibney Premiere.
The documentary is about the sporting rise and fall of Beckers.
Before the premiere, Becker was also asked about his addiction to pills during his active professional career.
"Life as a winning tennis machine is a lot tougher than it looks," he said, adding that you always have to function.
And further: "If I don't win, Germans in particular will try to crucify me."
Becker speaks of "privilege" and "challenge"
Becker described the documentation as a "matter of the heart".
"It was a privilege and a challenge to make the film." Gibney said, "I'm a big fan of Boris." There was a special appeal in making a film about him.
»He is also a storyteller who can tell his own story.«
Boris Becker was sentenced to two and a half years in prison in April 2022.
He had not disclosed assets of more than one million euros in his insolvency proceedings.
He was released early from prison in December.
Shortly thereafter, the streaming provider Apple TV + announced the two-part documentary.
According to the announcement, several personal interviews will be shown in the film, including an exclusive conversation from the week of Becker's sentencing.
hba/dpa