Why Becker Will Not Be Able To Coach Rune At 2024 Wimbledon

| by Nurein Ahmed

Holger Rune confirmed six-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker as his newest coach, at least until the end of the 2023 season.

The 55-year-old infamously served eight months behind bars in the United Kingdom for concealing £2.5m worth of assets and loans to avoid paying debts. Becker was found guilty on four counts under the Insolvency Act and was supposed to serve two and half years in jail.

But he was freed in mid-December 2022 and deported from the UK after getting approval for a fast-track deportation program, which allows foreign citizens to be deported if certain conditions are fulfilled. Consequently, he did not serve the full prison sentence.

Under the terms of his early release, Becker will not be allowed in the UK before October 2024, ruling him out from taking part at the Wimbledon Championships next year should his partnership with Rune extend beyond this season.

Holger Rune Saw Not Playing Tennis As Punishment Reveals His Mother
Holger Rune Saw Not Playing Tennis As Punishment Reveals His Mother

The pair had been spotted together during practice sessions in Monaco where Rune lives and trains while away from the tour. Becker was recently appointed to take over the reins, replacing French coach Patrick Mouratoglou who had been coaching the Dane for almost a year.

The German former ATP player stated that the agreement is meant to last for the remainder of the season. Becker missed Rune's recent tournament participation in Stockholm due to logistical and scheduling arrangements but promised to be in his corner in Basel which begins next week.

He is also expected to steer the 20-year-old in his title defense at the Paris Masters and potentially the ATP Finals in Turin. Rune is currently in a fight to qualify for the season finale, occupying eighth spot in the ATP Race, but is in danger of missing out on the eight-man party should his dreadful run of results continue.

With just one win in his last eight tournaments, Becker has been tasked to seal Rune's place in the top eight of this year's race. This is the German's first high-profile tennis coaching commitment since his three-year partnership with World No. 1 Novak Djokovic ended in late 2016.

Holger Rune Appoints Boris Becker As New Coach Shortly After Mouratoglou Split
Holger Rune Appoints Boris Becker As New Coach Shortly After Mouratoglou Split

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