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Boris Becker boarded a private plane to fly from the UK to Germany after being released from jail today.
The 55-year-old three-time Wimbledon champion, who has lived in Britain since 2012, was released after serving just eight months of his two-and-a-half-year sentence.
The German tennis star was driven from HMP Huntercombe in Oxfordshire in a Home Office prison van to a plane at Biggin Hill airport. The flight was chartered by a friend, the sources said.
The former world number one had been sentenced in April to 30 months in prison for illegally transferring large amounts of money and hiding assets after declaring bankruptcy in June 2017.
Boris Becker boarded a private jet (pictured after taking off from Biggin Hill Airport) to fly from the UK to Germany after being released from jail today.
The 55-year-old three-time Wimbledon champion, who has lived in Britain since 2012, was released after serving just eight months of his two-and-a-half-year sentence. In the photo with his partner Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro in April. It is unknown if she was on the flight with him.
Becker rose to stardom in 1985 at the age of 17 when he became the first unseeded player to win the Wimbledon singles title.
It is believed that he will return to his hometown of Leimen, where his 87-year-old mother Elvira lives, for an emotional reunion with his loved ones.
Boris’s mother reportedly told a friend: “This is the best Christmas present I could hope for – I can’t wait to hold my beloved son in my arms.”
A close friend of Becker’s family also said: “Elvira is just delighted that he is coming home.
“For her, having Boris out of prison and back home is the best thing she can imagine, and for it to happen in time for Christmas will be great for her.
“I was worried about when I might see him again, so this is all a big deal for her, especially given her age.”
The German tennis star was driven from HMP Huntercombe in Oxfordshire in a Home Office prison van (above) to the steps of his plane at Biggin Hill airport.
The flight was chartered by a friend, the sources said. In the photo: the prison van arriving at the private airport.
Becker’s German lawyer declined to immediately comment on his client’s case. Pictured: The private jet taking off from Biggin Hill
The six-time Grand Slam champion qualified for automatic deportation because he is a foreign national who does not have British citizenship and received a prison sentence of more than 12 months.
He was released under a fast-track scheme that sends criminals back to their own country before their release date to ease pressure on Britain’s overcrowded prisons.
Becker is represented by Bark & Co Solicitors, who declined to comment on their client.
Sources in Germany have revealed that he has been booked by a Munich-based television station for an interview about his dramatic fall from grace.
Boris is still one of the most famous sportsmen in Germany and his first interview is highly appreciated.
The source added: ‘There will be a huge amount of interest in his release and the private jet is making sure other media don’t see it.
The television company will pay for the plane and it is part of your agreement for the interview.
Friends are said to have rallied around the star to offer support and help him get his life back on track after his public humiliation and prison ordeal.
It is understood that the BBC expert will not be eligible to apply to return to the UK as a visitor until his full sentence has expired.
He is believed to be returning to his hometown of Leimen (above left), where his 87-year-old mother Elvira lives, for an emotional reunion with his loved ones.
Becker won Wimbledon at the age of 17 and six Grand Slams during his tennis career.
It comes when he talked about the emotional turmoil he felt before being sentenced for bankruptcy offenses in a clip for a new documentary.
He said he had hit rock bottom while awaiting sentencing earlier this year.
The clip of Becker being interviewed before sentencing was released by the filmmakers of an upcoming untitled documentary.
With tears in her eyes, she said, ‘I’ve hit rock bottom, I don’t know what to do with it.’
‘I will face (my sentence), I will not hide or run away. (I will) accept whatever sentence I am going to get.
“It’s Wednesday afternoon and (on) Friday I know the rest of my life.”
Director Alex Gibney and producer John Battsek, known for Oscar-winning documentaries like Searching For Sugar Man, have been documenting the tennis star’s life for three years in a series of “deeply intimate interviews.”
Apple TV+ said the two-part show explores Becker’s tennis career early on, as well as his “turbulent” personal life.
Other interviewees for the show include his immediate family and tennis rivals such as American John McEnroe, Swede Mats Wilander and fellow German Michael Stich.
Also featured is Novak Djokovic, whom Becker coached from 2013 to 2016 when he won six Grand Slams.
Along with Bjorn Borg, a former tennis number one who had been the youngest Wimbledon men’s champion 20 years before Becker broke his record.