“I wanted it to be very authentic, and I think that’s what we can see - Alex’s opinion is not always mine, but he is a very successful filmmaker, so I trusted his instincts.”

His life flashed before his eyes on the bus to prison

In April 2022, Becker was sentenced by UK courts to two and a half years in prison for hiding assets and loans that he was required to disclose to creditors and a bankruptcy trustee.

“Once you enter the dock for the sentencing, if the judge says guilty, you go immediately from the dock onto the bus to Wandsworth prison,” explains Becker. “That’s a very tough journey, your life flashes past your eyes, and you think, ‘Wow, am I going to survive the next chapter?’”

He spent more than 200 days inside

“231 days, to be precise. And trust me, I’ve counted them. It’s correct.”

It pays to be Boris Becker in prison

Becker’s time inside wasn’t exactly a smooth run. He told The Sun there were threats on his life, but he navigated prison politics by leaning on his Becker persona.

“The only currency you have inside is your personality and your character. That’s it. And it’s better to be a good one because there is no place to hide or certainly no place to run.”

Everyone should make a documentary to deal with their demons

“I think it’s very healthy; most people should try it,” laughs the 55-year-old. “People go to therapy to deal with their inner demons, but this film allowed me to reflect on the good and bad moments in my life.”

Tennis peaked with the Big Three.

While tennis fans worldwide mourn the end of the Nadal-Federer-Djokovic triumvirate, the former world number one is optimistic.

“I feel good about it; we are seeing the end of the three of the best of all time with Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, and they will leave a huge void,” says Becker.

“They are cultural icons in their countries; people who never liked tennis love Federer, and now they love the game.”

But we’re in good hands

“Novak is back on top, but there is so much talent coming through; Carlos Alcaraz, Casper Ruud, these will be the kinds of players we speak about for years.”

Winning Wimbledon at 17 was a blessing and a curse

Most teenagers make bad decisions they’ll live to regret, but imagine being 17 years old, winning Wimbledon and waking up with millions in the bank.

“I did win Wimbledon very early, so for me, that was always the foundation of everything that came after, the good and the bad,” says Becker.

“But the experiences gave me credibility, and young players are happy talking to me because they know I went through exactly what they’re going through right now.”

The media love to lie (and many of the best Boris Becker stories are made up)

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Yes, Boris Becker conceived his daughter Anna in the back room of London’s Nobu restaurant, and yes, he was once addicted to sleeping pills. But according to the man himself, most of the wild stories about him are simply untrue.

“When you’re in the spotlight for 38 years, there’s bound to be many false stories, one guy repeats it, and another repeats it, and then they become truth,” he says.

You never forget your last day in prison.

Becker was released from jail last December after serving eight months of his 30-month term and deported to Germany.

“It was a Thursday. I didn’t sleep; I was told they opened the cell door between six and seven in the morning,” he recalls. “I was sitting literally on my little corner mattress, ready to go and believe me it was the most beautiful day of my life.”

Boom! Boom! The World vs. Boris Becker is available to stream on Apple + now

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