LONDON — Tennis legend Boris Becker has revealed harrowing details of his time in a British prison, including a death threat from a fellow inmate who vowed to slit his throat. The three-time Wimbledon champion served eight months of a two-and-a-half-year sentence for bankruptcy-related offenses before being deported to Germany in December 2022.
In a series of interviews and his upcoming documentary, Boom! Boom! The World vs. Boris Becker, the 56-year-old German has spoken candidly about the constant fear and violence he witnessed while incarcerated at HMP Wandsworth and later HMP Huntercombe. The threat on his life came from a prisoner Becker described as "crazed" and unstable.
A Terrifying Confrontation
Becker recounted the chilling incident, stating the inmate approached him aggressively in a corridor. "He came up to me and said, 'Becker, I'm going to slit your throat.' He was known for being violent and had serious mental health issues. I was petrified," the former world number one revealed. He immediately reported the threat to prison authorities, who moved the threatening individual to a different wing for Becker's protection.
This was not an isolated incident. Becker described the prison environment as a brutal and unforgiving place where he had to learn the rules of survival quickly. "Prison is a different world. It operates by its own set of rules, and you have to adapt or you will be broken. I learned to keep my head down, be respectful, and not draw attention to myself."
The Daily Grind Behind Bars
Becker's daily life was a stark contrast to the luxury and adulation he was accustomed to. He was initially assigned a job sewing mailbags, for which he was paid a meager £1.40 per hour. His world shrank to a small cell, which he shared with another inmate, and the relentless routine of prison life. He highlighted several key aspects of his incarceration:
- Loss of Privacy: Constant surveillance and sharing a confined space with a stranger.
- Monotonous Routine: Days were governed by a strict schedule of roll calls, meals, and work details.
- Basic Necessities: Limited access to fresh air and a reliance on the prison canteen for small comforts.
Despite the hardship, Becker found a degree of purpose by offering tennis coaching and advice to other inmates, some of whom were aspiring players. This small act of normalcy provided a temporary escape from his grim reality.
Psychological Impact and Reflection
The psychological toll of his imprisonment was profound. Becker has spoken about the shame and humiliation he felt, not only for himself but for his family. "The hardest part was the feeling of having let everyone down. My mother, my children, my friends... I was Boris Becker, the champion, and now I was a convict. It was a crushing blow to my identity." He admitted to suffering from depression and anxiety during his sentence, feelings that were exacerbated by the ever-present threat of violence.
A Controversial Conviction and Deportation
Becker was found guilty in April 2022 by Southwark Crown Court on four charges under the Insolvency Act, relating to his 2017 bankruptcy case. The charges included:
- Removing hundreds of thousands of pounds from his business account.
- Failing to declare a property in his home country of Germany.
- Concealing an €825,000 bank loan and shares in a tech firm.
He was acquitted on a further 20 counts. Judge Deborah Taylor condemned his behavior, stating he had shown "no humility or acceptance of guilt." After serving just eight months, Becker was released under a fast-track deportation program for foreign nationals, avoiding the full term of his sentence.
Life After Prison and Moving Forward
Since his release and return to Germany, Becker has resumed his career as a television pundit and has been open about his desire to rebuild his life and reputation. He has described the prison experience as a harsh lesson that forced him to confront his past mistakes. "Prison strips you of everything. Your status, your ego, your freedom. But it also gives you a chance to rebuild from scratch. I am a different man today. I am more thoughtful, more grateful, and I will never take my freedom for granted again."
His story serves as a stark warning about the fall from grace and the brutal reality of the British prison system. While the threat of violence was a constant shadow, Becker's survival and subsequent reflection highlight a profound personal transformation born from one of life's most punishing ordeals.