Description
Sitting in the prison classroom each morning, reading the pages in my book, listening to the teacher, I could feel myself slowing down. I had achieved greatness. I had won three Wimbledon titles, two Aussie Opens, the US Open, two Davis Cups, an Olympic gold medal.
But where was I now?
Either I was some strange exception, a great man surrounded by lesser men, or I was not an exception at all. I fitted right in. And if I did, why was that?
Wimbledon champion at 17, six-time Grand Slam winner and former world number one - Boris Becker achieved unparalleled success, fame and wealth throughout his tennis career. But in April 2022, everything changed when he was sentenced to 30 months in prison over bankruptcy charges.
Inside offers a raw and unflinching account of Becker's life behind bars, detailing the brutal realities of surviving two of the UK's toughest prisons and the unexpected lessons in resilience that kept him going. Stripped of fame and fortune, Becker faced an entirely new world as inmate A2923EV, where nothing came easy.
More than a story of survival, Inside is about profound transformation. With brutal honesty, Becker reflects on the choices that led him to prison, confronting his mistakes and the price of fame. Through new relationships, hard-learned survival skills and the philosophy of Stoicism, he embarks on the difficult journey of rebuilding his life and shattered reputation.
This is the story of a legend who lost it all - how he survived, started again and found light in life's darkest moments.
'It's a memoir, it's a thriller, it's a confessional, it's therapy. This book is unbelievable, [and] beautifully written. It couldn't be a crazier story...it's so gripping, I could not put it down.' Chris Evans
Winning, Losing and Starting Again: The new memoir by tennis legend Boris Becker
About the Author
Born in Leimen, Germany, Becker's journey to tennis stardom is nothing short of remarkable. At 17, he became the youngest Wimbledon champion in history, claiming the title in 1985 and sparking what would become a legendary career.
Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, Becker continued to dominate the tennis world, capturing a total of six Grand Slam singles titles, including three Wimbledon championships.
Following his retirement from professional tennis, Becker transitioned into coaching and commentating, notably coaching Serbian tennis maestro Novak Djokovic, who won six Grand Slam titles under Becker's guidance.
Reviews
'The most haunting account of going to jail you will ever read' Daily Mail
'Unflinching account of his life in prison' Mail on Sunday
'A searingly honest account of his time in prison. [Boris Becker's] new biography is gut-wrenchingly raw - and utterly haunting' Daily Mail
'Boris Becker reached the top early and time and again hit rock bottom: a fighter, a master of the comeback. He talks about mistakes and forgiveness, about cold nights in prison-and about how to find yourself again when everything seems lost.' Der Spiegel
'What a book. Talk about honest! The book is remarkable.' Lorraine Kelly
'One of the most incredible and moving books that we've read, ever.' The High Performance Podcast, Jake Humphrey and Damian Hughes
'It's a memoir, it's a thriller, it's a confessional, it's therapy. This book is unbelievable, [and] beautifully written. It couldn't be a crazier story...it's so gripping, I could not put it down.' Chris Evans
'A compelling, brutally honest read. 4*' The Sun
Book Information
ISBN 9780008769024
Author Boris Becker
Format Paperback
Page Count 352
Imprint HarperCollins
Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
Weight(grams) 460g
Dimensions(mm) 234mm * 153mm * 22mm
