Becker: "Who are we to tell Djokovic when he should retire?"

Andrés Tomás Rico | 21 Nov 2025 | 17.35

Becker: "Who are we to tell Djokovic when to retire?"

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Boris Becker sees Novak Djokovic as one more of his family. The former German tennis player was left practically alone when in 2022 he was forced to enter prison after being found guilty of not declaring all his assets. However, his former protégé between 2014 and 2016, with whom he achieved six Grand Slams, did not leave him alone at that moment.

This is confirmed by Boris Becker himself in an interview with The Guardian, where he talked about his time in prison for eight months and how tough it is to enter a prison. However, he also took the opportunity to talk about the support of Novak Djokovic in these very difficult times and gave his opinion on the debate about Djokovic's retirement and the new rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

On how tough it is to enter prison

"You can't sleep because everything they say is true. In prison, people commit suicide, self-harm, and go mad. It's the harsh reality when you've never been in prison, and that's what your lawyers don't tell you beforehand, maybe not to scare you. Wandsworth prison is probably one of the toughest in the UK, so going in there was a shock. Anyone who says that life in prison is easy, is lying. It's true punishment."

He was moved in his cell while watching Djokovic win Wimbledon in 2022

"At that moment, I was no longer afraid. And when Novak won and raised his arms, I also stood up and raised mine. As I did, the noise in the block erupted once more, louder than ever. The punches continued for ten minutes. On the walls, on the doors. With glasses, with chairs. It had taken me two weeks to make them understand that he was my man, and now they understood. They had understood. I stood there and cried."

Boris Becker shares his thoughts on a possible retirement date for Novak Djokovic

"I believe his figure is crucial for today's tennis. He is a role model and shows young people the dedication needed to reach the top and stay there. He is still chasing his 25th Grand Slam, reached the semifinals of all four Grand Slam tournaments this year, and won two tournaments. Who are we to tell Novak when he should retire? The other day I heard he wants to play at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Let him. We need him. Anyone who has played against Novak Djokovic has lost a lot of money in the last 20 years. So I would never bet against Novak."

He is struck by the good relationship between Alcaraz and Sinner

"It's a bit peculiar, but they are a role model and it's wonderful that they have this chemistry on and off the court. Our generation was different. We didn't have social media. We had other qualities. But in this competitive world, I truly appreciate the behavior of Jannik and Carlos. I talk to them as they don't shy away from conversations with us, the former champions," Boris Becker concluded, grateful for the second chance life has given him and also for the closeness Novak Djokovic has always had with him.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Becker: "¿Quiénes somos nosotros para decirle a Djokovic cuándo debe retirarse?"

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