Boris Becker, the youngest-ever Wimbledon singles champion, shares stark insights from his time in prison in his forthcoming autobiography, Inside. In a revealing extract published by the Daily Mail, Becker recounts the dramatic shift from adulation as a sports legend to the harsh realities of life as an inmate in the UK.
His memoir details a series of unsettling experiences, beginning with the challenges of basic grooming. Becker describes using a rudimentary razor that left him with cuts and bruises on his face. “Trying to shave with the stubby little razor they had given me, I ended up with nicks on my cheeks and stabby slashes under my chin and down my neck,” he wrote. He recalls a medical appointment during which a doctor questioned him about self-harm, to which Becker responded, “Why would I? My mind was only focused on doing things to protect myself.”
Inside the Prison Environment
Becker’s account sheds light on the pervasive presence of drugs within prison walls. He notes that inmates could easily access substances, including alcohol and narcotics. “As the days went by, I learned that you could get anything you wanted in prison. Alcohol was easy. People made it themselves with sugar, fruit and other things you could buy legitimately with your allowance from the canteen… then there were the drugs,” he states. He elaborates on the various types of drugs available, mentioning that some were smuggled in via the prison’s internal mail system.
The former tennis star also emphasizes the grim conditions of daily life in Wandsworth Prison, where he faced physical hardships. “Some days those showers would be icy cold. You never knew why. It was just another unpleasant fact in a day you don’t control,” he recalled. The unsanitary environment, with dirt covering the floors, added to his discomfort. “I was lent a pair of flip-flops. Boris, wear them, because we don’t know who was there before. The first time in my life I ever showered in flip-flops,” he remarked.
Finding Solace Through Teaching and Connections
Despite the challenges, Becker sought ways to cope with his new reality. His memoir reveals how he found solace in teaching classes, engaging in reading, and maintaining regular phone communication with his partner, Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro. These activities provided a much-needed distraction from the stark environment surrounding him.
Becker’s memoir, Inside, will be available to the public on September 25, 2023. As he shares his journey from sporting stardom to incarceration, readers can expect a deeply personal account that highlights both the trials and the resilience he discovered during his time in prison.
