Boris Becker in staggering return to tennis after prison ordeal

Legendary tennis player Boris Becker has announced he is returning to the tennis circuit as coach of world number six Holger Rune. The role will be his first high-profile appointment since his release from a UK prison in December after serving eight months of a 30-month sentence for concealing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of assets after declaring bankruptcy.

The 55-year-old German previously coached Novak Djokovic to six Grand Slams from 2013 to 2016. After training with Rune in Monte Carlo, Becker announced he would join his team until at least the season's end. "I can confirm that I am Holger Rune's coach," Becker told Eurosport Germany's podcast.

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"It makes me a little proud that he asked me. The contact has existed for a long time. Now it was a very good fit. My calendar allows it and I have always been interested in Holger because he is on the tennis court with so much commitment and temperament."

The twenty-year-old Dane previously worked with Serena Williams' former coach Patrick Mouratoglou and is widely considered to be one of tennis' top talents. However, he has only won one of his last nine matches and will hope under Becker's guidance he can turn a corner when he competes in next week's tournament in Basel.

The only trouble with Becker coaching Rune is if the young Dane competes in the UK, such as in next year's Wimbledon, with Becker unable to enter the country due to his tax evasion conviction. When he was released from prison Becker was deported from the UK and it is unclear how long it would be before he could return, with post-conviction travel bans lasting for up to a decade.

Becker to bring the best out of young Dane

The legendary player turned coach says he aims to ensure the fiery budding tennis star qualifies for the ATP Finals in Turin in November. Upon announcing the role as Rune's coach, Becker described the Dane as a "rough diamond that needs polishing".

“I like his emotional outbursts," Becker said. "I have coached a player before, Novak Djokovic, who was sometimes not quite himself on the court, but that is allowed."

It is unknown if Becker will continue as Rune's coach after this season concludes and he has refused to comment on the matter. “There’s no point in signing a two-year contract now when you’ve only been cooperating for a week,” he said. “If you are successful, you usually stay together, no matter what the contract says. If not, everyone goes their own way again.”

Becker showed 'no humility' after $4m fraud conviction

Becker was convicted of four charges under Britain's Insolvency Act and jailed in 2022 for failing to disclose, concealing and removing significant assets following a bankruptcy trial.

The German was found to have transferred money to his former wife Barbara and estranged wife Sharley in 2017 after he had declared bankruptcy. The judge claimed the six-time grand slam champion had shown no remorse.

"It is notable you have not shown remorse or acceptance of your guilt," judge Deborah Taylor said. "While I accept the humiliation you have felt as a result of these proceedings, you have shown no humility."

It was found that Becker hid around $4.4 million worth of assets in order to avoid paying his debts.

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