Boris Becker ‘could win a prison gymnastics role’ after being jailed for fraud

Earlier Wimbledon Master and BBC expert Boris Becker was able to work as a fitness instructor in prison after being jailed for fraud.

The disgraced tennis player was sentenced on Friday to two and a half years in prison after he was found guilty of hiding assets worth £ 2.5 million to avoid paying debts.

Becker, 54, is due to serve his sentence in HMP Wandsworth, a Category B prison not far from the iconic Wimbledon tennis club where he found fame.

A former governor of the prison has said the former tennis star would become a good fitness instructor if he were to be interested in taking on a job role while in prison.

Jerry Petherick told The Sun: ‘Counter-centers are very popular in prisons – it’s a job that many prisoners want.’

But Mr Petherick also warned that officers ‘would not want to show any signs of favoritism’.

Nor is it likely that Becker will step into such a role as soon as possible, as inmates typically must have served at least six weeks and exhibited good behavior before being considered for a work role.

New inmates admitted to Wandsworth Prison are required to remain in the prison ‘induction wing’ for seven to 10 days after arrival due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, and it is understood that Becker has not yet been seen of other inmates.

The former champion could only serve half of his sentence behind bars and spend the rest “on license” in the community if officials decide to release him halfway through his term.

HMP Wandsworth is also a remand prison used to temporarily detain criminals, who are later transferred to serve their sentences elsewhere, meaning Becker is likely to serve his entire prison term there.

Becker was found guilty by a jury after admitting to blowing up a £ 38 million fortune he had amassed during his glittering tennis career.

The former world number one said that ‘expensive lifestyle habits’ had drained his finances, as well as a costly divorce and payments for the maintenance of his four children.

Judge Deborah Taylor said he had shown no remorse or acceptance of guilt.

Becker showed no emotion as he retrieved his belongings before being led down to the cells.

The prison sentence marks a remarkable fall from the grace of one of the sport’s legends and a familiar face on British television.

Second Wimbledon champion Andy Murray said he felt sorry for Becker, but added: ‘I do not think you should get special treatment because of who you are or what you have achieved.’

Becker marked himself as a generational talent when he won the prestigious Wimbledon trophy at the age of just 17, the first unseeded player in history to do so.

He went on to win six grand slams among his 15 career titles as well as an Olympic gold medal, and is widely regarded as one of the best players ever.

After his career, he became a media expert and spent three years coaching Novak Djokovic.

The Ministry of Justice declined to comment.

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