From Tennis Prodigy to Survivor: Boris Becker's Journey After Wimbledon Triumph
Upset at Wimbledon: Becker laments, 'All of a sudden, liberty vanished' - "Becker remarks on Wimbledon takeover: 'Suddenly, liberty vanished'"
Going down memory lane, Boris Becker (57) reminisces about his first Wimbledon win 40 years ago, not only for the delight but also the hurdles that followed the profound joy and towering expectations. "It was like a tidal wave," he told Stern magazine, "the whole country engulfed me. It was heartwarming, but I almost suffocated under the weight of it."
Becker stormed onto the Wimbledon court in July 1985 to claim his maiden title, triggering a tennis frenzy in Germany and whipping up a circus around his life. "People treated me differently, even my parents," he recalled, "it was as if I transformed overnight, from their son into something extraordinary."
Becker and Endurance
His indomitable spirit was the cornerstone of his tennis dominance and his coping strategies for difficult times. "I may have been a child prodigy, but I've been surviving for longer than that," he said. "I'm like a chameleon. Drop me in the Sahara, and I'll find a way to survive. Lock me up, and I won't die."
His prove-the-doubters-wrong mentality saw him through his stint in a London jail for making false statements during insolvency proceedings. "They say, in a crisis, you're on your own, and that's what it felt like," he admitted.
The Love Story
Fast-forward to the present, and Becker now lives with his wife, Lilian De Carvalho Monteiro, in Milan. "I never thought I'd find someone like her," he admits, "She's my rock, my anchor, my strength, and my love."
- Boris Becker
- Wimbledon
- Germany
- Sports
Behind the Scenes:
Becker's post-Wimbledon journey was marked by immense personal struggles, survival challenges, and critical support from his wife.
The Tide of Fame:Becker's maiden Wimbledon victory catapulted him into global stardom, a phenomenon he compared to a second birthday, ushering in a new chapter of his life[2]. The sudden fame brought a more confrontational side, as he felt suffocated under the weight of constant public scrutiny and criticism, likened to "almost drowning" under it[2].
Personal Battles:Throughout the years, Becker faced an array of personal difficulties, as he grappled with the expectations and demands[2]. Eventually, he was plagued by an addiction to sleeping pills, which took a toll on his professional life, particularly during the 1990 Wimbledon final[3]. Becker's challenges peaked when he spent eight months in prison for financial misdemeanors starting in 2022[3][4]. Despite these hardships, he has shown unwavering resilience, describing the trials as the dawn of another chapter in his life[3].
Life's Partnership:Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro has been Becker's beacon of support since their marriage in 2014. Lilian is portrayed as the yang to his yin, providing equilibrium in his chaotic life, and offering emotional balance away from the public eye in Milan[2]. Their partnership is one of mutual respect, helping Becker navigate a healthier social circle and establish better personal boundaries[2].
Boris Becker's post-Wimbledon journey is marked by critical support from his wife, Lilian De Carvalho Monteiro, as he navigates personal struggles and critical moments in his life. In the face of sudden global fame following his maiden Wimbledon victory, Becker feels like he was "almost drowning" under constant public scrutiny and criticism, similar to a sports player trying to keep afloat amidst the tide of fame.
