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GERMAN CONCERNED ABOUT THE STATE OF THE WORLD
Becker reflects on career as he heads towards Hall of Fame
By Sandra Harwitt
tennisreporters.net
Boris Becker may no longer be a formidable force on the ATP tour, but being retired for the past five years has not curtailed the 35-year-old German's schedule.
Becker, who will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame at Newport, Rhode Island, this coming July, keeps plenty busy by playing senior tournaments, being involved in the German Tennis Federation, with his company that has taken over management of the ATP Master Series-Hamburg tournament and as publisher of a tennis magazine in Germany.
"Let's say five years later, I'm more busy than ever," said Becker, during a Friday morning phone press conference call. "I'm traveling almost as much as I used to, obviously, for different reasons. I guess part of me is a gypsy who likes to travel a lot, so that's going to stay with me."
Always a thinking man, it's not surprising that considering his gypsy lifestyle, Becker is extremely concerned about the state of the world these days, the imminent threat of war and security issues.
"It's a very, very scary situation right now," said Becker, whose own country is balking at supporting the US determination to attack Iraq. "I was impressed about all the peace demonstrations last Sunday throughout the world. It just shows that everybody really speaks with the same mind. We are all afraid. Now, I'm no politician. I don't know what's happening behind the scenes in the American position and the European position and Russian position. I'm saying all in all, we are aware of the situation and it's a scary one.
"I'm traveling a lot. I'm a lot in America. I'm a lot in the Far East. I'm going to India in the spring. I'm on a lot in planes, in hotel rooms and bars. It's not the safest place anymore."
Becker will face John McEnroe in a senior exhibition March 2 at The Cliffs Tennis Classic at the Bi-Lo Center in Greenville, South Carolina.
A MASTER OF THE LAWNS
Clearly, most people remember Becker for his flamboyant go-for-broke, serve-and-volley style, not to mention his six Grand Slam titles. Of particular note was his unexpected first major win at Wimbledon in 1985, a victory of historic proportion. Becker was an unknown entity when he became the youngest ever Wimbledon champion at 17 years, 7 months, the first unseeded player to win the Wimbledon men's title and the first German to win on the revered lawn at the All England Club.
But it wasn't that victory that solidified in Becker's mind that he was a champion with great mileage, a player who would make a major impact in the men's game. That knowledge only came to Becker when he won the second of his three Wimbledon crowns the following year.
"My first Wimbledon was as big a surprise to me as to the whole world," said an honest Becker. "I was quite in a state of shock. Only until the year later when I confirmed it in '86 by winning it again, I knew that I was in the sport for good and I'm a good tennis player. So I think the Wimbledon victory in '86 was the vital point I needed to confirm, mostly to myself, that I'm in a business and hopefully for a successful time."
A genius when it came to playing on grass, Becker often referred to the Wimbledon Centre Court as where he was most at home and continues to remain puzzled as to why he only was successful on three of seven appearances in the Wimbledon final, securing the trophy in 1985, 1986 and 1989.
"I love that Centre Court," he said. "(It's) my favorite place. I love big matches. I was able out of seven finals to only win three. In retrospect, that's something I can't understand today even."
Becker also admits to being bewildered as to how he was able to be successful at Wimbledon and the Australian and US Opens, but came up empty-handed at the French Open. Becker's best results at Roland Garros were three semifinal showings in 1987, 1989 and 1991.
"Probably looking back, not winning a major championship on clay is something I regret," Becker said. "I wish it wouldn't have happened. I had match points in Monte Carlo. I was in the final (there) a few times – semifinals a few times at the French Open, but I was never actually able to win a major championship. Being raised on a clay court, that's a bit of a contradiction, but that's probably my big regret I have in tennis."
BIGGEST RIVAL: EDBERG
While the German star refers to Ivan Lendl as his first rival, he credited Swede Stefan Edberg as his most enduring and important rival, saying, "Late '80s, Edberg came along, and he was basically my main rival throughout my whole career. We had three consecutive Wimbledon finals against each other, a number of big tournament finals when either he or me were winning."
Nevertheless, when he looks to his most memorable match it was not against Edberg, but against McEnroe, in a Davis Cup Relegation Round tie in 1987. The match started on a Friday afternoon at the Hartford Civic Center and six hours, 21 minutes later, Becker won the thriller 4-6, 15-13, 8-10, 6-2, 6-2.
"There's one match in particular that stands out," he said. "That's a Davis Cup match against McEnroe in Hartford. That was in '87. That was about whether America or Germany goes down to the second division. That was probably the longest match I ever played and the one with extreme emotion and extreme trials and tribulations.
"I wouldn't like to compare my Grand Slams because each was very, very special and very difficult to win and to do. All in all, each holds a special place in my heart."
It comes as no surprise that Becker enjoys playing the senior tour, but that he acknowledges it does not live up to the quality or excitement level of the regular tour. Nevertheless, the old guys arena does provide some interesting differences.
Becker said, "It doesn't compare. I don't think we're trying to compare [it]. It’s just something that keeps us fit, that keeps us among our former competitors and now friends. It's good to be with the old boys from time to time. We did spend 15 years together. Imagine McEnroe and me 10 years ago, now we're almost best buddies."
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