Tennis legend Becker teaching fellow inmates fitness, nutrition

Boris Becker has been teaching dozens of inmates about fitness, nutrition and crisis management while in prison for fraud.

The German tennis legend was jailed for two-and-a-half years in April for fraudulently hiding £2.5m ($5m NZ) in assets to avoid paying debts, but his lawyer says he is prospering at HMP Huntercombe. in Oxfordshire by teaching his fellow prisoners to keep adapt.

Becker’s lawyer, Oliver Moser, told German media: “Our client, Boris Becker, is still doing well under the circumstances and constructively adapting to everyday prison life.”

The 54-year-old sports star is said to have his own private cell and his behavior in prison has been described as impeccable.

A close friend said, “He is popular with his fellow inmates.”

A source close to Becker said the six-time Grand Slam champion works out at the gym and has lost 8.1kg, while teaching 45 inmates about physical conditioning, nutrition, crisis management and a special type of yoga and meditation.

The source told The Sun newspaper: “As an athlete, he knows the wins and the losses.

“He shares his life experience with his fellow inmates.”

It was reported earlier this year that Becker was teaching sports science to other inmates, and the move sparked claims of favoritism in the three-time Wimbledon winner’s treatment in jail.

A source said, “Normally it would be years before you get a job as a classroom assistant as it is considered a privilege.

“But Becker was given the job within weeks of being sentenced. There is a lot of resentment about it and families of some inmates have written letters of complaint.”

A spokesman for the Prison Service responded to the complaints saying: “It is not true to suggest that preferential treatment was given.

“Offenders can access a variety of job and educational opportunities while in prison.”