Boris Becker recalls making the same decision as Jannik Sinner.

Boris Becker told his story in an interview with Corriere della Sera, starting with his time in prison: “I was afraid of dying twice. One, when an inmate came at me screaming. I was holding the lunch tray, I answered him, but seven or eight of them protected me. Three days later that man came to the laundry, fell on his knees and kissed my hand. I realized then that he did it to restore respect. In prisons, respect is the unwritten law. Prisons are not run by the guards, but by the prisoners”.

“My story is a crazy one. As a boy I was the youngest tournament champion, forty years later I would end up in prison. But I have always been a ‘bubble breaker’ one who breaks bubbles, patterns. First they criticize me, then they imitate me”.

Becker in 2022 was going to be Jannik Sinner’s coach: “It&#8220s true, and it was supposed to remain a secret. He had asked me to coach him, but I was waiting for the London ruling. I told him: I don&#8217t know how it will end, I can&#8217t take the commitment. I didn̶t want to leave him alone, though: I suggested two names, one was Darren Cahill. For me, the best”.

“Four Slams at 24: I don&#8220t think I could have done better than Cahill and Vagnozzi. Jannik was already a leading prodigy, and the success of his team speaks for itself. I read the criticism, but I understand Jannik. I won Davis twice, in ’88 and ’89, and the following year I didn’t play it. I needed to rest, I did exactly the same as he did. Tennis is an individual sport: we are not machines. Italy is lucky to have him”.