Madrid (AP) — Novak Djokovic was sentenced to two and a half years in prison in the UK for illegally sending large sums of money and hiding his assets after a tennis tycoon was declared bankrupt. He told former coach Boris Becker that it was “sorrowful.” ..
54-year-old Becker has been teaching Djokovic for three years since December 2013.
Djokovic said in Spain on Sunday, “(I) hurt, that is, for him,” prior to the Madrid Open. “He is a friend, a longtime friend, a coach for three or four years, and I consider him intimate in my life and has contributed significantly to my career success.”
Becker was sentenced on Friday after being convicted on April 8 of four charges under British bankruptcy law. The three Wimbledon champions were found to have sent hundreds of thousands of dollars from his business account to other accounts after the bankruptcy in June 2017.
Djokovic, who won the Grand Slam 20 times, said he would not comment on the details of Becker’s proceedings.
“When he comes out after this period of having to be put in jail, he hopes he can live his life, as you know.” Life is definitely changing, “Djokovic said. “I’m just praying for him. I hope things go well in terms of his health and mental health, because that’s the hardest part.”
Djokovic aims to return to full shape in Madrid ahead of the French Open later this month.
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