Constructed a tiny fortress, presumably for personal use

Building a Fortress with Wife Lilian: Boris Becker Opens Up

Crafted a miniature fortress for personal enjoyment - Constructed a tiny fortress, presumably for personal use

Former tennis champ Boris Becker (57) is opening up about his personal life in his upcoming book "Inside". In a candid interview with "Stern", he shares his wife Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro's unwavering support during his prison stint, making her his only dependable connection.

A Fortress Built on Love and Resilience

When imprisoned, Becker states that Lilian was his single lifeline. He confesses, "I had no one else. My kids were too young, my father had passed, my mother was a bit too old, and Tiriac was history. Only Lilian remained." In his darkest hour, Lilian reassured him, "We are a team. I'll wait for you."

Now, Becker proudly discloses that he has rebuilt a stronghold, a fortress of sorts, and Lilian, the "lady of the castle", guards the entrance. She holds the key and decides who gains entry.

A First Equal Partnership

Becker describes his union with risk analyst Monteiro as potentially the first true equal partnership, where neither partner takes precedence. He admits, "I need Lilian, and I hope she needs me too." Their paths crossed when he was reckoning with professional, personal, and physical struggles, at perhaps the lowest point in his life. Despite his frailty, Monteiro saw something in Becker that intrigued her, even when he seemed to have nothing to offer.

Becker also discusses various aspects of his storied tennis career and its repercussions on his personal life. After winning his first Wimbledon title at 17 (1985), he felt smothered by the nation's enthusiasm, feeling suffocated rather than buoyed. He expresses dislike for his popular moniker "Bobbele", finding it needlessly diminishing.

Reflecting on his career, he wishes he had retired in his mid-twenties, acknowledging that by the time he lost the Wimbledon final in 1991 against Michael Stich, he was drained. He had already accomplished every major Grand Slam tournament except for Paris. "What else could there be?" he queries, expressing feelings of emptiness and a lack of ambition.

• Boris Becker
• Wife
• Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro
• Wimbledon
• Tennis Career
• Support System

In an intimate disclosure, Boris Becker shares that his wife, Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro, was his critical support system during his challenging prison stint, strengthening their bond even further. Despite the glitz and glamour of being a celebrated tennis player, Becker's wife remained by his side, providing a cushion of solace and strength. Moreover, Becker and his wife cultivate an equal partnership that transcends the commonalities of celebrity relationships and sports fame, making them a captivating presence in the realm of entertainment and beyond.

Read also: