Tennis legend Boris Becker reveals that both the DTB and “some very renowned players” have recently approached him. However, time and money are an obstacle.
Boris Becker has recently held talks with the German Tennis Federation (DTB) about a possible return – so far without success.
“We haven’t found a solution yet that would involve me more closely in German men’s tennis again, as I did for a few years as Head of Men’s Tennis,” the 57-year-old said on Wednesday at a Eurosport media event ahead of the Australian Open in Melbourne, which begins this weekend.
“The time I put in has to be paid for,”
Becker, who held the position of Head of Men’s Tennis at the DTB from 2017 to 2020, did not want to give details because such discussions took place “privately”. However, the tennis legend did mention the point of “time commitment” as one of the reasons why there was no new commitment to the association.
“I’m very busy again professionally and don’t have enough time,” said Becker. ”Then the time I contribute must also be paid for. Perhaps the budget at the German Tennis Federation is also lacking in this regard. We live in a free economy and there is value and countervalue. We couldn’t agree on time and money, but that’s fine. Nevertheless, the German Tennis Federation is always very close to me.”
Becker and DTB President Dietloff von Arnim are always exchanging ideas, as are Becker and the other officials. “There is no bad blood or nothing. Professionally, we have not found each other.”
Also “very renowned players” asked
In addition, Becker was asked by “some very renowned players” last year whether he would be available as a coach. “The answer is actually always the same: I can’t do it full-time because I have other professional commitments,” said the former world number one: “I’m happy to be a mentor, a supervisor, but not someone who is available for all tournaments or a large number of tournaments. I won’t do that anymore.”
Was Germany’s number 1 Alexander Zverev – whom Becker recently warned that the window of opportunity for the longed-for Grand Slam victory might soon close – among those interested? ‘I’ll be careful not to give you any names – but there were very well-known national and international players,’ Becker replied.
