Former Wimbledon champion Boris Becker (55) will commentate as an expert on the US Open for “Sportdeutschland.TV” starting Tuesday. But according to the broadcaster’s employee, according to “Sport Bild”, he is not recognized in the US Grand Slam.
The reason for this: Becker won’t get a visa to the US because he can’t provide proof of work. An employee of the US Open confirmed to “Sport Bild” that there was no claim in his name.
Becker was jailed for more than two years last year for defying bankruptcy laws in the UK. He returned to Germany at the end of 2022 but remains on probation in England.
Becker is reportedly barred from entering the country without a visa because of the conviction. He should have applied for a special permit – but apparently didn’t. The granting of such permission is at the discretion of the relevant US authorities.
At a press conference in August, Becker promised there would be no problem with his entry. But now he is threatened by déjà vu: In 2017 he was not allowed to declare as a professional from the US Open – his work visa had expired.
“My client submitted the application for the necessary visa as soon as possible,” explains his lawyer Oliver Moser. “Boris Becker will start his moderate work from a TV studio today.”
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