Tennis legend Boris Becker has opened up about his marriage to model Lilly Kerssenberg, candidly discussing the 22-year age gap between them and the profound connection that has defined their relationship. The six-time Grand Slam champion, who married Lilly in 2009, revealed in a recent interview what truly "surprised" him about their partnership, moving beyond superficial assumptions to the core of their bond.
The Foundation of an Unlikely Connection
Becker, now 56, met the Dutch-born Lilly in 2008 while he was working as a commentator at a tournament in Monaco. At the time, he was 40 and she was 18. The former world No. 1 admitted that even he was initially taken aback by the significant difference in their ages. "Of course, the age gap was a topic," Becker stated. "I was surprised myself. I never thought I would fall in love with a woman so much younger than me."
However, Becker was quick to dismiss the notion that their relationship is built on anything other than a deep mutual understanding and shared values. He emphasized that despite the difference in their birth years, they found common ground in their outlook on life, ambition, and family. "It's not about the number," he explained. "It's about the connection you have with a person. We just clicked on every level."
What Truly "Surprised" the Tennis Icon
The most revealing part of Becker's commentary was his admission of what genuinely surprised him about his wife. It wasn't her youth or beauty, but rather her immense maturity and strength of character, qualities that became his anchor during the most tumultuous period of his life. "What surprised me most was her incredible strength," Becker revealed.
This strength was put to the ultimate test during Becker's highly publicized bankruptcy ordeal and subsequent imprisonment in the UK for flouting insolvency rules. Throughout the legal battles and his eight-month jail sentence, Lilly remained a steadfast pillar of support. Becker credits her unwavering loyalty and resilience for helping him survive the experience. "She stood by me through everything. The bankruptcy, the trial, the prison sentence... her loyalty never wavered. That is true love."
Navigating Public Scrutiny and Building a Family
The couple has faced its share of public scrutiny and judgment regarding their age difference. Becker acknowledged that outsiders often make assumptions, but he and Lilly have learned to focus on their own happiness. "People will always talk," he said. "But we don't live our lives for other people. We live it for us and for our son."
The pair are parents to a son, Amadeus, born in 2010, who is the center of their world. Becker, who has three older children from previous relationships, has often spoken about the joy of fatherhood later in life and the unifying force it has been for his marriage to Lilly.
Becker outlined the key elements that, in his view, make their marriage work despite the age gap:
- Shared Values: A common perspective on family, loyalty, and how to navigate life's challenges.
- Mutual Respect: Treating each other as equal partners in all decisions.
- Unwavering Support: Being each other's biggest champion through good times and bad.
- Focus on the Present: Concentrating on their life together now, rather than the years that separate their pasts.
Life After Adversity: A Stronger Bond
Becker's release from prison in December 2022 and his subsequent deportation to Germany marked a new beginning. He has since rebuilt his career as a commentator and podcast host, often with Lilly by his side at events. The experience, while harrowing, seems to have solidified their relationship into an unbreakable unit. "We went through hell and came out the other side together," he reflected.
The tennis icon now views his relationship through a lens of profound gratitude. The age gap, once a point of surprise and external focus, has become an irrelevant detail in the larger story of their partnership. "I am a very lucky man. I have a beautiful, strong wife and a wonderful son. The numbers don't matter. The heart does."
As Becker continues his comeback in the public eye, his relationship with Lilly stands as a testament to the idea that connection defies conventional boundaries. His story is less about an age difference and more about finding an unexpected and powerful partnership that provides strength, loyalty, and redemption.
In closing, Becker offered a simple piece of advice, born from his own experience: "Don't judge a relationship by what it looks like from the outside. You never know the true strength that lies within."