Tennis: Interview with Boris Becker:”The price is very high”.

In an interview with the Sports Information Service (SID), Boris Becker talks about his 50th birthday in London. Birthday on Wednesday, his grey beard hair, the extremely high price of fame – and how hard it is to be Boris Becker.

Mr. Becker, how are you just before your 50th birthday? Birthday?

Boris Becker: I’m still fine. I’ve been told life goes on at the age of 50.

Is the digit five before zero uncomfortable?

Becker: I don’t have a problem with the number, but it’s a sign of something. I’m also physically better than I was five years ago. Besides, they like to say that the 50 is the new 40. I’d be happy to accept that. I’ve had grey beard hair before, but I’ve had it for a while.

You appear physically fit…

Becker: I have hopefully done all the surgeries for now. This definitely gives me back my quality of life. The operation on the ankle joint was important, I should have had it done years ago. But the medicine wasn’t ready yet.

What was the best birthday in your life so far?

Becker: The most unusual birthday was the 25th, when I became ATP world champion. A quarter of a century, that’s a word. It was a very nice feeling when the whole festival hall in Frankfurt sang’ Happy Birthday’.

Does it ever happen that you go out on the street and feel unobserved?

Becker: I don’t think I haven’t experienced that for more than 30 years. Whether it’s in London, Paris or Munich. It’s exhausting, and it’s a price, because I’m still paying. It’s high. I don’t mean to say it’s too high, but it’s very high.

What do you mean?

Becker: Other people can’t really judge this. You can’t imagine what it’s like to be Boris Becker. I try to explain every now and then.

Is there at least a certain form of politeness?

Becker: As a rule, yes. In this context I want to pay my German fans a compliment. You’ve grown up with me over the years. And they treat me with respect and the necessary distance.

They have two grown-up sons, who may one day become fathers. What would distinguish grandpa Becker from father Becker?

Becker: I have already had the conversation with my eldest. That’s a perfectly reasonable 23-year-old. I told him that – if possible – I don’t want to become a grandpa in the next few years. If he could hold back, I’d appreciate it. My 18-year-old’s still a bit young…

Is there another life’s dream you want to fulfill?

Becker: There are disadvantages to getting older. But one advantage is that I can tell my children about my life. Which things you have to try out – and which not. And I look forward to it in the coming years. That they’re still looking for the close-knit wire we have. Since I have led a very intensive life, they don’t have to hear it from strangers or read it in books, but from myself.