And here is Boris Becker again.
Released from prison last Thursday after eight months of incarceration on charges of "financial fraud", the former German tennis legend spoke for the first time on the television channel Sat1, an interview watched by more of 5.2 million people.
The thinned face, Boris Becker publicly confirmed his guilt.
“This conviction was a very harsh lesson.
A lesson that hurt me a lot.
With hindsight, it also had positive repercussions.
I thought a lot, I recognized my missteps, ”said the former world number 1.
Strong passage of this interview, which would still have brought him more than 500,000 euros: the details of his stay in prison.
“Behind bars, you are nobody.
I quickly realized that.
You are just a number.
Mine was A2923EV.
No one called me Boris.
Besides, they didn't really care who I was, ”says the six-time Grand Slam winner.
Boris Becker even feared for his life: “I established relationships of trust with three prisoners who saved my life.
In October, another prisoner wanted to kill me.
He explained to me exactly what he was planning to do, but I had the support of these other inmates and the next day this dangerous person who has been behind bars for 12 years came to apologize.
»
„Im Gefängnis bist Du niemand.
Du bist eine Nummer.
Meine war A2923EV.“ @TheBorisBecker gleich im Interview in #SAT1Spezial.
#BorisBecker pic.twitter.com/5Hg49jdHl1
— SAT.1 (@sat1) December 20, 2022
The 55-year-old also received support from other sports personalities during his eight months in prison, including a certain Jürgen Klopp.
“I had the right to two visits per month, but certain personalities were not authorized to come and visit me.
For example, Jürgen Klopp wanted to come see me.
We called each other.
"Kloppo" was not allowed to come, because he is too well known and the prison wanted to avoid monumental chaos, details Boris Becker.
I received several dozen letters every day from supporters, friends, former tennis players.
I have read them all.
(…) The one that touched me the most?
The one sent to me by Michael Stich (former world No. 2) over three pages with very touching words.
(Becker bursts into tears) I would not have believed that he made such a strong gesture.
»
Sentenced last April in the United Kingdom for several “financial frauds” linked to his personal bankruptcy, the former German superstar took advantage of an accelerated procedure as a foreign national.
He returned to Germany since the end of last week.
