In a recent interview ahead of the 2022 Madrid Open, world number 1, Novak Djokovic expressed his sadness about former mentor Boris Becker's imprisonment.
Becker, a three-time former Wimbledon champion, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison in London this week for concealing £2.5 million in assets and loans to avoid paying his obligations.
Following his retirement, the former German player maintained a high profile as a TV analyst and as a successful coach of Djokovic for three years, beginning in December 2013.
As Becker's former trainee, and still a good friend, Djokovic was asked about the German's imprisonment, and while he didn't want to talk a lot about it, he showed support to the former world no. 1 player.
"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. It’s not much that you can say."
"Just heartbroken for him. He’s a friend, a long-time friend, a coach for three, four years, someone I consider close in my life and has contributed a lot to my success in my career."
The Serbian player is aware that having to spend time in prison is difficult, and that people can often change after serving their sentence. He hopes that after spending his time behind the bars, Becker will come out the same, if not stronger than before.
"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 – I don’t know if we’ll use the word ‘normal’ because life is definitely changing for anybody going to prison, especially for that long of a time."
"So 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 health, his mental health, because that’s going to be the most challenging part."
Djokovic is currently preparing in the Spanish capital for the 2022 Madrid Open. The Serbian will await his second-round opponent, who will come from the first-round match between Gael Monfils and Carlos Gimeno Valero. Already in the semi-finals of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament, the world number one can meet one of his biggest rivals, Rafael Nadal.