Europe 1 with AFP 8:10 p.m., February 19, 2023

Ex-German tennis player Boris Becker thanked world number 1 Novak Djokovic on Sunday for his support while he was in prison in Britain, adding that he considered the Serb "probably the greatest player in all the time".

Former coach of Novak Djokovic (from 2013 to 2016) with whom he won many titles, Boris Becker made a moving confession to the press at the Berlin Film Festival this Sunday.

During the presentation of a documentary at the Berlin Film Festival about his exploits as a player and the difficulties encountered after his career, Becker revealed that his former pupil Novak Djokovic had always been by his side.

"Novak Djokovic has become a member of the family. You know that we had a professional relationship for many years and that we ended it in 2016", underlined the six-time winner of Grand Slam tournaments and himself former world number one, now 56 years old.

"But we always remained close and especially during my detention. He supported me and he supported my family," he revealed.

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Djoko's coach from 2013 to 2016

Becker had coached Djokovic from 2013 to 2016, when the latter won six of his current 22 Grand Slam titles.

The Serb himself intervenes in the documentary entitled "Boom! Boom! The World vs. Boris Becker" ("Boom! Boom! the world against Boris Becker"), directed by Alex Gibney for Apple TV +.

"Boom, Boom", was the nickname given to Becker while playing due to the strength of his serves.

Djokovic evokes in this documentary having learned from Becker "the mental strength" necessary to play under pressure.

"I'm very proud of the fact that whoever is probably the greatest player of all time is part of a story about Boris Becker," replied the German player.

He also thanked legends John McEnroe and Björn Borg for their participation in the film.

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Eight months in prison

"Tennis has two kings right now which is good," he added, referring to Djokovic and Spaniard Rafael Nadal.

"That's why tennis is very exciting" to watch, according to him.

Becker was extradited from Britain to Germany in December after serving eight months of a 30-month prison sentence for breaching bankruptcy rules by concealing assets of around £3.1million. dollars (3 million euros) to avoid having to pay its debts.