Becker receives offers to return to coaching, but rules out Zverev

Andrés Tomás Rico - 6 Nov 2026 | 15:55
ATP Boris Becker Alexander Zverev

The German returned to the tug of war with the new world number one, whom he supported between 2017 and 2021, but he rejects a possible return: "I have to be the one in charge in the ring."
 

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Becker receives offers to return to coaching and rules out Zverev. Photo: Getty Images

Boris Becker could return to the tennis coaching scene. The former world number one and six-time Grand Slam champion opens the door to becoming a coach after having endured the torment of prison and the world of television. The German confirmed that he has received offers and stated that he is considering it, but completely rejects the idea of helping Alexander Zverev again.

The tense relationship between the two dates back several years. Both like to voice their opinions and do not enjoy staying silent, leading to a constant tug-of-war of statements. The latest episode occurred this week at the Masters 1000 in Paris after Becker complained about Zverev speaking with his father in Russian during matches, as well as accusing him of not speaking out on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He also mentioned that Zverev is a blunt and curt person in interviews conducted in German.

A New Chapter in the Zverev - Becker Feud

To which Zverev did not hesitate to respond: “I don’t know what’s going on with him right now, but I have the feeling that he feels the need to comment on everything I do. If he thinks he needs to do so, he should go ahead,” he assured in his first press conference in Paris.

And now it was Becker's turn to reply, making it clear that he needs to be the one in charge on the court and what types of players he rejects: “I have to be the one calling the shots in the ring. If a family member has a different opinion in a language I don’t understand, in this case Russian (referring back to Zverev), then that is unacceptable,” he stated in an interview with Der Spiegel.

Additionally, he took the opportunity to speak again about Zverev, this time recalling the period when he collaborated with him between 2017 and 2021, when the Hamburg native was fighting to carve out a niche among the best tennis players in the world: “I was in his box at many matches, I was on the practice courts, and I actively supported him. We have had our ups and downs. I am 30 years older than him and have children his age. Sometimes you have to tell these young people what they don’t want to hear. That could motivate them even more; they think, 'What is he talking about? I’ll see who’s in charge.' That's fine. The important thing is that he wins. And this year he did.”

However, he was much more ambiguous and reserved when asked about those players who have approached him to return to coaching: “There have been several inquiries, of course I’m not going to mention names!,” but he left open the possibility for 2027: “We’ll see what happens next year.”
 

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Becker recibe ofertas para volver a entrenar, pero autodescarta a Zverev