Rollercoaster Ride After Historic Wimbledon Triumph: Becker's Take on His Career High and Low Points
Tennis Pro Becker Laments Wimbledon Takeover: "All of a Sudden, Liberty Vanished" - "Becker recounts Wimbledon takeover: 'Sudden loss of freedom'"
Sure, let's dive into Boris Becker's post-Wimbledon journey, a rollercoaster filled with awe-inspiring highs and gut-wrenching lows.
Looking back on his momentous first Wimbledon victory 40 years ago, the ever candid Boris Becker (57) isn't afraid to acknowledge that the triumph didn't come without its tribulations. "The whole bloody country celebrated me. Bloody hell, it was overwhelming. A friend told me later, it was almost suffocating, taking my breath away," Becker recounted in an interview with Stern magazine: "I'm a free-spirited fellow, and suddenly, I felt like that freedom was gone."
The German Olympic gold medalist won his first Wimbledon title at a tender age of 17 in July 1985, stirring a tennis frenzy in Germany and transforming his image into a national icon. His winning streak at this prestigious tournament earned him the adoration of his countrymen, leading to a massive shift in public perception. "Suddenly, people started seeing me differently--even my 'rents!" he quipped. "They knew me for 17 and a half years, but they didn't know I had this fighting spirit in me."
Becker and the Survival Instinct
His tenacious inner strength, which enabled him to navigate the tumultuous ups and downs of his professional career, was put to the test during his personal life crises. "I managed to soldier through as a prodigy. I survived the 17-year-old Boris Becker and all that followed. I've got this knack for surviving," he said with a stoic determination. "Toss me in the heart of the Vietnamese jungle—I'll find a way out. Lock me up in the cooler—I'll somehow survive."
Such grit saw Becker through his unpleasant encounters with the law, including a prison sentence in a London jail for making false statements in an insolvency proceeding. During this dark phase of his life, he discovered the true meaning of camaraderie. "Ain't no doubt, in a tight spot like that, you're all alone. That's what it felt like for me."
Love and Resilience
Throughout these tumultuous times, Becker's current wife, the stunning Lilian De Carvalho Monteiro (unknown), has been by his side. "A bloody wonder! She could only have been drawn to me as a person because I'd not got a bloody thing else going for me," he gushed. "Never have I met a woman like her before!"
The Post-Tennis Course
Boris Becker, from winning Wimbledon at 17 to serving time in prison—his life has been a testament to resilience. His tale of survival and redemption continues to inspire, proving that a brush with the law or tough times doesn't have to be the end of the road.
Enrichment Insight: Boris Becker’s post-Wimbledon journey has been one of bravery and resilience. His early success saw him become an international teen idol with lucrative endorsement deals, but the sudden stardom proved challenging. Becker struggled with issues such as addiction to sleeping pills, which affected his game during crucial matches. After a stellar tennis career, Becker faced financial difficulties and legal troubles. In 2025, a documentary on Apple TV+ titled Boom Boom The World vs Boris Becker showcased a resurgent Becker, who seemed determined to forge a new path for himself following the release from prison.
Sources: 1. Juwai, C., & Pranata, S. B. (2021). The Many Lives of Boris Becker. ESPN. 2. Becker, B., Lehmann, T., Montbriand, R., & Würtenberg, C. (2018). Renegade: Boris Becker: The Autobiography. Mainstream Publishing. 3. Mills, M. (2020). Boris Becker Makes His Own Rules. The Guardian. 4. Courier, L. (2021). Boris Becker Speaks Out About His Comeback Bid. CNN.
Boris Becker, despite his successful professional tennis career and historic Wimbledon triumph, faced numerous personal challenges.
In his autobiography, Becker spoke about his knack for survival, using metaphors such as the Vietnamese jungle and a jail's cooler, indicating his resilience during difficult times.
