Boris Becker on Prison: Prison Habits Remain Forever.

According to The Sun: Tennis legend Boris Becker shared his experiences during his time in prison.

The German tennis player, once worth 38 million pounds sterling, was declared bankrupt in 2017.

57-year-old Becker was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for concealing assets from creditors.

He spent a total of eight months in HMP Wandsworth and Huntercombe prisons, and after his release, he was deported from the UK.

Struggles in Prison

Boredom and loneliness negatively affected Becker's physical and mental health, supported by his wife, Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro.

In an interview with Suddeutsche Zeitung, he noted:

“This vastness exhausts your soul and boils your mind.”

“You quickly realize that prisons are actually controlled by the inmates. Communicating with my wife over the phone became my lifeline and the only chance to stay myself.”

“Until October, I slept in a tracksuit and socks. One night it was so cold in the cell that I slept in two jackets and two pairs of socks, covering my head with a towel.”

“I lost seven kilograms in the first four weeks. The reasons were emotional stress, poor nutrition, and the absence of alcohol and sweets.”

“Dinner was served at 4 PM. My wife joked ironically: 'Boris, you've lost so much weight, is it worth asking if you can stay longer?'”

Relationships with Guards and Poker

Other celebrities who found themselves behind bars had certain advantages from the guards. But Becker noted:

“I spent months establishing myself as a trusted and respected person among the guards.”

“My knowledge of philosophy and responsibilities in the gym helped me with this.”

The famous Wimbledon champion tried to occupy himself by playing poker with Romanian inmates. However, in the end, he accrued a debt of 500 pounds sterling.

He noted:

“Of course, it was unreasonable to play poker with such people, but I wanted to stay true to my book.”

“If a friend from outside hadn't solved this problem with a money transfer, I would be a completely different person today.”

Impact of Prison on Life

Becker emphasizes that the time spent in prison will leave a mark for life.

“This trauma cannot be completely left behind. You take the prison with you into your new life.”

“I can only fall asleep if the bedroom door is completely closed. In bed, I lie so close to the edge that I almost fall.”

“When I sleep, even the widest mattress turns into a narrow bed.”

“I’m not a psychologist, but I can say that everything was different before.”

The story of Boris Becker serves as a testament to how hardships and trials can change a person. His experiences in prison not only tested his physical and emotional endurance but also left a deep mark on his life that he must live with. Becker is ready to face the consequences of his past, realizing that every experience shapes our future.