Earlier this year, tennis legend Boris Becker received a huge blow. He was sentenced to two and a half years in jail on charges of claiming false bankruptcy. The authorities accused him of hiding assets and loans worth £2.5m to avoid paying debts. Recently, Becker’s ex-wife, Lilly Becker, opened up about how she explained this to their 12-year-old son.

The news left the former World Number 1, Novak Djokovic, ‘heartbroken’. Becker was a long-time coach of Djokovic and was very close to the Serb. Further, Djokovic revealed how sad he was upon hearing about the jail sentence of Becker.

Ex-wife of Boris Becker on revealing Boris’ jail sentence to their 12-year-old son

During an interview, Lilly Becker talked about how she explained Boris’ jail sentence to her son, Amadeus. Talking about this, she said, “Papa didn’t listen to the law and he’s on the naughty step. ‘I had no chance but to break my heart or his heart last Sunday and I don’t wish this upon anybody. It was the hardest thing I had to do with a 12-year-old.”

Further, she added, “He just couldn’t grasp it. He still can’t. It breaks my heart but it just made me into ”tiger mumma.” I have just told a 12-year-old that his father is in jail and the saddest part was I couldn’t break it down because these kids are now going on YouTube and the internet. The internet is cruel. But he also has a loving support system around him. He’s curious and I’ve told him we all make mistakes.”

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Becker’s mother left heart-broken

Recently, the tennis legend’s mother revealed that she couldn’t visit her son in prison as she could no longer fly to London. Becker, who is sentenced in London, had his family back in Germany and his mother couldn’t visit him as she had sustained a fractured femur and needed crutches to walk. Additionally, Boris just had one interaction with his mother over a call.

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Meanwhile, tennis legend, John McEnroe also sympathized with Becker during this year’s Wimbledon Championships, saying, “Boris, we love you. We all miss you, friend.”

The legendary German player is hoping to get a reduced sentence once he is allowed to transfer back to his home country.