Novak Djokovic calls for Home Office to allow Boris Becker Wimbledon return

Novak Djokovic has urged UK authorities to allow Boris Becker to return to Wimbledon because of his "special connection" to SW19.

The 24-time grand-slam champion, 39, who was coached by Becker for three years between 2013 and 2016, revealed that they had been in touch before Wimbledon.

Advertisement

Becker was declared bankrupt in 2017 and five years later sentenced to 2½ years in prison for hiding £2.5m of assets and loans to avoid paying taxes.

The terms of his early release in 2022, which led Becker to be deported to Germany, mean he is unable to return to the UK, and is in discussions with the Home Office over the ban.

Djokovic, following his 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 first-round Centre Court victory over China's Yibing Wu, told Telegraph Sport he believed many people would like to see Becker back at Wimbledon.

He said: "Actually [I] texted with him before Wimbledon. 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.

Advertisement

"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, most success."

Djokovic added: "Boris for me is a very dear friend, and 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, as a 17-year-old wunderkind, defeated South African-born American Kevin Curren in the 1985 Wimbledon final to become the first unseeded player to win the men's singles title.

He won three Wimbledon titles, along with two Australian Opens and one US Open, during his playing career.

Advertisement

Becker, 58, who retired during 1999, is now focused on his tennis commentary career.

In an interview with Telegraph Sport, he confirmed he is in negotiations with the Home Office to overturn his ban.

He said: "I don't think I miss London, but I miss Wimbledon. 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."

Becker revealed to Telegraph Sport that Djokovic was one of his most important confidants after losing 95 per cent of his friends following his time spent in HMP Wandsworth and then HMP Huntercombe in Oxfordshire.

Advertisement

"For him not to turn his back speaks to his character," Becker said. "With him there's no pretence. It's powerful to call the most successful tennis player of all time your friend. We must have done something good together, apart from winning tennis matches, to feel this way about each other."

When contacted by Telegraph Sport, the Home Office said it does not routinely comment on individual cases.

Click here to read article