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Boris Becker has boarded a private jet to fly out of the UK to Germany after being released from jail today.
The three-time Wimbledon champion, 55, 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 jet at Biggin Hill Airport. The flight was chartered by a friend, sources said.
The former world number one had been sentenced to 30 months in prison in April for illicitly transferring large amounts of money and hiding assets after he was declared bankrupt in June 2017.
Boris Becker has boarded a private jet (pictured after taking off from Biggin Hill Airport) to fly out of the UK to Germany after being released from jail today
The three-time Wimbledon champion, 55, who has lived in Britain since 2012, was released after serving just eight months of his two-and-a-half-year sentence. Pictured with partner Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro in April. It is not known 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.
He is thought to be returning to his hometown of Leimen, where his 87-year-old mother Elvira lives, for an emotional reunion with his loved ones.
Boris’ mother reportedly told a friend: ‘This is the best Christmas present I could hope for – I cannot wait to hold my beloved son in my arms.’
A close friend of Becker’s family also said: ‘Elvira is simply overjoyed he is coming home.
‘For her, having Boris out of prison and back home is the best thing imaginable – and for it to happen in time for Christmas will be great for her.
‘She was worried about when she might see him again, so this is all a huge 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 jet at Biggin Hill Airport
The flight was chartered by a friend, sources said. Pictured: 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 custodial sentence of more than 12 months.
He walked free 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 he has been signed up by a Munich-based TV station for an interview about his dramatic fall from grace.
Boris is still one of Germany’s most famous sportsmen and his first interview is much prized.
The source added: ‘There will be a great amount of interest in his release and the private jet ensures that he is not seen by other media.
‘The TV company will be paying for the jet and is part of their agreement for the interview.’
Friends are said to have rallied around the star to offer support and help get his life back on track after his public humiliation and prison ordeal.
It is understood the BBC pundit will not be eligible to apply to return to the UK as a visitor until his full sentence has expired.
He is thought 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 along with six grand slams during his tennis career
It comes as he opened up about the emotional turmoil he felt prior to being sentenced over bankruptcy offences in a clip for a new documentary.
He said that he had hit his ‘bottom’ while awaiting to be sentenced earlier this year.
The clip of Becker being interviewed before the sentencing was released by filmmakers of an untitled upcoming documentary.
Looking tearful, he said: ‘I’ve hit my (rock) bottom, I don’t know what to make of it.
‘I (will) face (my sentence), I’m not going to hide or run away. (I will) accept whatever sentence I’m 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 the Oscar-winning documentaries such as 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 from the beginning as well as his ‘tumultuous’ personal life.
Among others interviewed for the show are his immediate family and tennis rivals like American John McEnroe, Swedish Mats Wilander and fellow German Michael Stich.
Novak Djokovic, who Becker coached from 2013 to 2016 when he won six grand slams, also appears.
Along with Bjorn Borg, former number tennis one who had been the youngest male Wimbledon champion at 20 years before Becker broke his record.
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