Boris Becker has confirmed that he remains in discussions with the Home Office to overturn his ban from entering the United Kingdom, with the tennis legend hoping to return to Wimbledon after missing the tournament for five consecutive years. The three-time Wimbledon champion was deported from Britain in December 2022 after serving eight months of a 30-month prison sentence for tax evasion and concealing assets.
Becker's Ongoing Talks with the Home Office
In an interview with The Telegraph ahead of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships, Becker revealed that negotiations with the Home Office are continuing. "I don't think I miss London, but I miss Wimbledon," he said. "It's my birthplace, in a sense. I feel so close to the club, to the courts. I have a story on every court, in every corner, in the locker room, in the car park. I probably know Wimbledon better than anyone else alive."
The 58-year-old had previously expressed hope of returning for the 2025 tournament, but he remains barred from entering the country. The exact conditions of his exclusion are not fully known, though it was suggested at the time of his release that the ban could last up to 10 years. Becker has disputed this, stating that the decision rests entirely with the UK government.
Becker's Prison Sentence and Deportation
Becker was sentenced in April 2022 for hiding assets worth £2.5 million to avoid paying debts. He was released from prison in December 2022 and deported to Germany. The 2026 Wimbledon will mark the fifth year he has been unable to attend the tournament, having watched the 2022 event from his cell. Wimbledon 2027 will represent five years since his sentencing, the midpoint of the suggested decade-long ban.
Becker's Legacy at Wimbledon
Becker's influence at Wimbledon extends beyond his three titles in 1985, 1986, and 1989. He also served as a coach for Novak Djokovic from December 2013 to December 2016, during which Djokovic won six major titles, including two Wimbledon Championships. Becker has described Wimbledon as his "home away from home" and remains determined to return to the venue of his greatest victories.
Future Prospects
While Becker will not attend the 2026 tournament, he continues to push for a return. He currently resides in Milan and will watch the proceedings from afar. "The 10 years not going back [to the UK] is rubbish, it's not true," Becker told The Telegraph in April 2024. "For me, after October 2024, [I can be] given permission from the Home Office. They decide, I don't decide."
