Novak Djokovic has urged the UK Government to allow Boris Becker to return to Wimbledon.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion revealed he text the German before the championships began to see if he would be seeing him at the All England Club.
Becker, a close friend of Djokovic having coached him between 2013 and 2016 during which they won six Grand Slams together, including holding all four at once in 2016, is not allowed into the UK after being sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison for hiding £2.5m of assets and loans to avoid paying tax.
He was released after eight months and, as part of the terms of his early release in 2022, was deported and left unable to return. Becker remains in discussions with the Home Office over coming back.
‘I actually texted with him before Wimbledon,’ said Djokovic, after his first-round victory over Yibing Wu. ‘I asked him what’s the situation because I don’t know if he has permission to come into UK or not. Unfortunately, still not.
‘I think I’m not the only one that would love to see Boris back to Wimbledon and to be able to, you know, just be here, be present. He’s a legend of our game. He was my ex-coach. Worked with him three years during probably my best time of my career with the most success.
Novak Djokovic has urged the UK Government to allow Boris Becker to return to Wimbledon
The German is not allowed into the UK after being sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison for hiding £2.5m of assets and loans to avoid paying tax
‘Boris is a very dear friend. I really care about him and his family. I sincerely hope he’ll be able to be allowed to come back. He’s the youngest-ever men’s champion. He has a special connection to this place.
‘I don’t know if this can help. I hope that the authorities will consider that.’
Becker won the Wimbledon title as a 17-year-old in 1985 before going on to win another two titles, as well as two Australian Opens and one US Open. He retired in 1999 and became a commentator.
‘I don’t think I miss London, but I miss Wimbledon,’ Becker told the Telegraph. ‘It’s my birthplace, in a sense. I feel so close to the club, to the courts. I have a story on every court, in every corner, in the locker room, in the car park. I probably know Wimbledon better than anyone else alive.’
Djokovic progressed through to the second round of Wimbledon with a 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Yibing Wu on centre court yesterday.
The Serbian will be back in action on Tuesday afternoon in the Round of 64 against the experienced Stefanos Tsitsipas.
