According to British media reports, the three-time Wimbledon winner Boris Becker is to be released early from prison and will probably be deported to Germany in the coming week, at least before Christmas.
The 54-year-old Becker was sentenced to two and a half years in prison by a London court in April because he had concealed assets of almost three million euros in the course of bankruptcy proceedings.
He is being held in Huntercombe Prison in Oxfordshire, where he is said to have built a reputation as a yoga and fitness instructor and nutritionist.
According to the reports, Becker is benefiting from a program that the British government wants to use to relieve overcrowded prisons.
Non-British inmates who are well behaved and are willing to return home can apply.
Becker has lived in London for many years and has long been a fixture in BBC tennis coverage there, but retained his German citizenship.
His lawyer did not comment on the reports, but in November a former spokesman confirmed Becker's initial speculation.
"We are delighted that Boris could qualify for an early release and travel to Germany despite England having been his home for many, many years.
I'm sure it means a lot to him to be reunited with his family for Christmas."
Apparently Becker does not have to continue to serve the prison sentence in Germany, but is no longer allowed to set foot on British soil until it officially ends in autumn 2025.
The "Daily Mail" reported on Wednesday that Becker is to be flown out in a private plane for which a Munich television station is paying, to which the former tennis star has promised an exclusive interview.
An employee of the Interior Ministry will accompany Becker from prison to the airport.
The British Home Office did not comment on the reports.
It said it did not comment on operational matters related to the deportation of foreign criminals.
"Any foreigner who has been convicted of a criminal offense and is serving a sentence is eligible for deportation at the earliest possible date," the general statement said.