Djokovic ‘heartbroken’ over jail sentence for former coach Becker

Tennis star Novak Djokovic has said he was left “heartbroken” after his former coach Boris Becker received a prison sentence of 2½ years for hiding £2.5 million worth of assets.

Becker, a six-times grand-slam champion, was jailed on Friday after being found guilty at Southwark crown court of four charges relating to his bankruptcy. 

He spent the first weekend of his term at Wandsworth prison in southwest London and will serve at least 15 months before being eligible for release.

Speaking for the first time since Becker’s sentence was delivered, Djokovic expressed sadness for the sorry position his old mentor and friend now finds himself in.

Becker helped Djokovic to win six grand-slam titles during a three-year partnership that ended in December 2016.

“He is someone I consider close in my life and has contributed a lot to my success in my career,” Djokovic said. “I was just heartbroken. I’m not going to get into details of the verdict, because I’m not in a position to do that, but as his friend I’m super sad for him.

“I just hope he will go through this period that he has to be in jail and that when he comes out he’s able to live his life as ... I don’t know if we’ll use the word ‘normal’ because the life is definitely changing for anybody going to prison, especially for that long.

 “I don’t know how things will turn out for him. I just pray for him. I hope things will be well in terms of his mental health because that’s going to be the most challenging part.”

By contrast, Andy Murray expressed little sorrow when he was asked for his response. While Murray hopes that Becker will overcome the mental challenges during his time behind bars, the Briton believes it was right that justice took its course.

“I didn’t feel particularly emotional about it,” Murray said. “He broke the law and if you do that, I don’t think you should get special treatment because of who you are or what you’ve achieved.

“I feel sorry that he’s in that situation, but I also feel sorry for the people [Becker’s creditors] that he’s affected with his decisions and what’s happened to them. I hope he’s OK and that he learns from his mistakes. But I didn’t have a particular emotion about it.”

“He is someone I consider close in my life and has contributed a lot to my success in my career,” Djokovic said. “I was just heartbroken. I’m not going to get into details of the verdict, because I’m not in a position to do that, but as his friend I’m super sad for him."