Djokovic ‘heartbroken’ over jailed Becker
Serbian star invites family of former champion to box at Wimbledon, then rails against US Open on Covid
‘I consider Boris really a family member, someone that I greatly appreciate, respect and care about’
‘I don’t see the medical logic behind it, that Tennys can play because he is a citizen of the USA, and I cannot’
NOVAK DJOKOVIC, the six-time Wimbledon champion, claimed he was heartbroken for jailed Boris Becker, having hosted the former title winner’s family as guests on Centre Court.
Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro, Becker’s girlfriend, and Noah, his son, watched from Djokovic’s box for a second time this week as he swept into the third round in straight sets.
The 35-year-old Serb revealed afterwards that Noah, 28, and his younger brother, Elias, 22, were due to see their father in prison in the coming days.
Three-time former champion and BBC commentator Becker was jailed by a Southwark Crown Court judge in April for hiding £2.5million worth of assets and loans to avoid paying debts.
“Of course, it breaks my heart to see what’s happening to him,” said Djokovic, explaining that his friendship with the Becker family extended beyond the German’s three-year stint as his coach.
“I can only imagine how hard it is for his family members so, of course, this is a little gesture of friendship to invite them,” Djokovic said of his decision to invite the family to his box.
Becker, who had previously been convicted for tax evasion in Germany in 2002, remained a member of the All England Club in the immediate aftermath of being found guilty of four charges under the Insolvency Act.
However, he is unlikely to be employed by the BBC again following the case that centred on Becker’s bankruptcy in June 2017 resulting from an unpaid loan of more than £3million on his luxury estate in Mallorca, Spain.
Ms De Carvalho Monteiro is thought to have been dating twice-divorced, father-of-four Becker for around three years. She was seen blowing him a goodbye kiss as he was led out of the court following his sentencing, and is said to have visited him at HMP Wandsworth.
“I’ve just been trying to give support to people around him, his closest people, his family members, because I consider Boris really a family member, someone that I greatly appreciate, respect, and care about,” Djokovic said.
Djokovic has had his own fair share of controversy, having become sport’s most prominent openly unvaccinated athlete.
Earlier yesterday, he attacked the US Open for allowing all Americans to play when he and other foreigners who refuse the jab are stopped from travelling.
He insisted it would not be “the end of the world” if he cannot travel, but, speaking to Serbian journalists, he suggested all unvaccinated players should be effectively banned, given the restrictions facing non-american citizens.
Djokovic said he had been texting the American player Tennys Sandgren since he said he found it “shameful” that the US authorities were not helping Djokovic get the green light to compete.
He added: “I have been texting with Tennys Sandgren a few days ago. I wanted to thank him for the public support he has given me in this situation.
“What he said makes total sense — if unvaccinated players are not allowed to compete at the US Open, then it should be the case for everyone.
“I don’t see the medical logic behind it, that Tennys can play because he is a citizen of the USA, and I cannot.”
Djokovic was deported from Melbourne in January over his stance on vaccines, forcing him to abandon his attempt to win a 10th Australian Open title.