Boris Becker Hints at Mentoring Role
Boris Becker indicated he may take on a mentoring role in professional tennis next year, after ruling out a return to coaching to protect his family life. The six-time Grand Slam champion told German media outlet Der Spiegel that he has received several inquiries for such a role, which could see him work with players at major tournaments and training camps.
The 58-year-old, once among the world’s best tennis players, currently works as a television analyst for Eurosport and Sky, commenting on events at tournaments. While that media work keeps him close to the sport, Becker’s remarks point toward another role in the tennis world.
“Being a mentor, sometimes at a Grand Slam, sometimes at a Masters tournament, sometimes in a training camp, I like doing that,” Becker told Der Spiegel. He added that he has fielded several requests for such arrangements but declined to name any specific players.
Family Commitments Limit Coaching Travel
Becker firmly ruled out returning to a coaching role that requires relentless travel. From 2013 to 2016, Becker coached Novak Djoković.
“The job of a tennis coach means extreme travel, almost every week. I don’t want to do that to my family,” Becker explained. He noted that he is now in a different phase of life and refused to pack his bags in August only to return home in October.
That travel is why a coaching role no longer works for him.
Alexander Zverev Family Dynamics Block Partnership
Addressing a possible collaboration with Alexander Zverev, Becker explained why such a partnership would not work under current conditions. Zverev has been trained since childhood by his father, Alexander, and his brother Mischa is also closely involved in the 29-year-old’s career.
Becker characterized the setup as a family enterprise where all members share in prize money and commercial agreements, with the youngest family member serving as the core of the business. “I couldn’t have done that with my father and my sister,” Becker said.
Becker laid out a basic condition for a coaching role. “I have to be the boss in the ring,” Becker stated. He added that if a family member held a conflicting opinion delivered in a language he did not understand—specifically citing Russian in the Zverev case—then it would not work.
Next Year Remains Open
Becker has not named any players, and he said the outcome for next year is still uncertain. The exact role he might take on is still open.
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