German tennis icon Boris Becker is attempting to rebuild his life in Italy, following a dramatic fall from grace that saw him serve time in a British prison and face deportation from the UK. The former Wimbledon champion, once celebrated as a sporting hero, saw his legacy tarnished by a conviction for concealing assets to avoid repaying debts.
From Wimbledon Glory to Wandsworth Prison
Boris Becker was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for hiding £2.5 million in assets and loans during his bankruptcy proceedings. The 58-year-old served eight months of that sentence at HMP Wandsworth, a facility located just three kilometres from the hallowed Wimbledon lawns where he first found fame as a 17-year-old champion.
Upon his release in December 2022, Becker was immediately deported to his native Germany. The UK Home Office also imposed a strict ten-year ban, preventing his return to a country he had called home since 2012. Reports indicate that negotiations to reduce this lengthy ban are currently ongoing.
A Fresh Start in Milan with a Growing Family
Forced to leave Britain, Becker has now settled in Milan, Italy, with his wife, 34-year-old Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro. The couple recently welcomed their first child together, a daughter named Zoe Vittoria, who was born in November 2025. Becker announced the pregnancy on social media, calling the baby "a little miracle" and stating "the best is yet to come."
Zoe is Becker's fifth child from four different relationships. He has two sons, Noah and Elias, with his ex-wife Barbara Becker, a daughter, Anna, from a previous relationship with Angela Ermakowa, and another son, Amadeus, from a prior partnership.
Surprisingly, Becker has revealed that his time in prison unexpectedly strengthened his relationship with his daughter Anna. He told Germany's Stern magazine that they had never spoken so much or so regularly, noting that "it took prison for us to get closer than ever before." He described their family as not perfect, but united by a mindset that they always find a solution.
Explaining his choice of Milan, Becker cited his successful history at the city's tennis tournament, which he won four times, his affinity for Italian fashion brands, and his wife's Roman heritage. He also expressed a desire to be more involved in raising his new daughter than he had been with his older children.
Coaching Dreams Deferred and Life After Sport
The tennis world nearly saw a major comeback for Becker in early 2022, when he came close to coaching the young Italian star Jannik Sinner. Becker confirmed the talks, revealing he had to withdraw because he was awaiting his London court ruling. Not wanting to leave Sinner stranded, Becker recommended coach Darren Cahill, who ultimately took the role and helped guide Sinner to the top of the game.
When asked if he would consider coaching Sinner should Cahill step away, Becker was pragmatic. He praised Cahill as the best and doubted he would quit. More importantly, Becker signalled a shift in his own priorities. "Today, I'm in a different phase of life," he stated, highlighting his growing family and new business ventures. He expressed a reluctance to travel extensively and suggested the role of a coach now feels too limiting for him.
Prison Ordeals and a Fight for Respect
Becker has spoken candidly about the harsh realities of life behind bars, disclosing he feared for his life on two occasions. One particularly frightening incident involved a confrontation with a dangerous new inmate in his prison wing. Becker described how the situation escalated quickly, and he was only protected by the intervention of a group of other prisoners.
He explained that the prison had its own brutal code, where respect was paramount and inmates, not guards, often held the real power. "Prison is a tough, dangerous place, with its own rules. Prisons are run by the prisoners, not the guards. No one has any idea what goes on in there," Becker revealed, offering a stark glimpse into his eight-month ordeal.
Despite his exile, Becker's connection to tennis continues through media work. He has recently been announced as part of Warner Bros. Discovery Sports' Eurosport Germany team for their Australian Open coverage. His primary focus, however, remains on overturning his UK ban. He has expressed a deep love for London and Wimbledon and is working with the Home Office to present reasons for his return. For now, the champion who once ruled Centre Court must watch from afar, building a new chapter far from the scene of his greatest triumphs and most profound failures.
