Boris Becker once recounted a story involving a physical altercation in Miami where he broke his finger defending his then-girlfriend from racist insults. The six-time Grand Slam champion revealed that he was at a bar with his girlfriend, who was Black, when another patron made offensive remarks toward her. Becker, angered by the comments, confronted the individual, leading to a fistfight during which he injured his finger.
In a 2015 interview with Esquire, Becker said:
“You should see the other guy. It was a while ago in a bar in Miami. Some bloke insulted my girlfriend at the time. She was black. He made racist comments. I said, ‘Talk to me.’ I broke a finger because of that. I’m temperamental and if somebody pisses me off I don’t shy away.”
The German tennis icon also spoke about the cultural expectations placed on him during his career. He expressed that, while admired in Germany, he faced scrutiny for personal choices, such as marrying women of mixed race. Becker remarked on societal pressures, saying some people expected him to adhere to traditional norms, like marrying a blonde, blue-eyed woman, but he stood by his decisions in life and relationships.
Becker’s reflections highlight both the challenges of fame and his willingness to stand against injustice and societal prejudice.
