Becker: “Were mistakes made” – Berlinale presents film documentary

About two months after his release from British custody, ex-tennis star Boris Becker highlighted what he saw as a difficult role in his home country. “Certainly in Germany, it is often not allowed that the youngest Wimbledon winner of all time has grown up,” said the 55-year-old during the Berlinale. “I’ve never been able to please everyone.”

The premiere of the first of two parts of the production «Boom! Tree! The World vs. Alex Gibney’s Boris Becker was part of the program at the Berlin International Film Festival on Sunday. Oscar winner Gibney (“Taxi to Hell”) chronicles Becker’s sporting rise and fall.

“I’m a big fan of Boris,” said Gibney. Making a movie about him had another appeal: “He’s also a storyteller who can tell his own story.”

Becker described the documentation of his life’s ups and downs as a matter of the heart. “It was a privilege and a challenge to make the film,” he said.

Becker was also asked about his pill addiction during his professional days. “Life as a winning tennis machine is much harder than it looks,” says Becker. You always have to work. It is impossible to live a normal life as a tennis pro. “Every player has a way of dealing with these expectations. If I don’t win, especially Germans will try to crucify me.”

At the same time, Becker stressed that he was “the last one to complain about his life”. He made mistakes like probably everyone in his life. He always tried to control his life, but some mistakes happened. The past five years have been long and exhausting.

Becker was sentenced to two and a half years in prison in London at the end of April 2022. He had hidden assets worth millions from his trustees. He was released in mid-December after 231 days behind bars due to a special arrangement for foreign prisoners.

“I’m glad that after eight months and six days I was able to get out of prison safely and see life with very different eyes today,” said Becker. It feels good to be in peace and freedom again. “We should all strive to be better people. Can we do this every day? I do not believe. But hope dies last, they say.” With the film he hopes for “a new perspective on Boris Becker as a person”. (sda / dpa)