Boris Becker's 12-year-old son Amadeus is struggling to come to terms with his dad being sent to jail, the tennis legend's ex-wife Lilly has explained.
Icon Becker, 54, was sentenced to two and a half years behind bars after being found guilty of four charges under the Insolvency Act at Southwark Crown Court.
The German, a previous coach of Novak Djokovic, hid a number of assets including nearly £700,000 and some of his most prized tennis titles, including two Wimbledon trophies.
It came after he was declared bankrupt five years ago.
Despite divorcing in 2018, Becker and his ex-wife are on good terms, and Lilly spoke of her devastation after learning of the jail term.
"I completely broke down," she told Piers Morgan on Talk TV. "I couldn't believe what I was hearing because I was convinced he was going to get off a little bit lighter. I had to keep it together, I do not know how I did it.
"I was prepared. I kept him [Amadeus] out of school. He was upstairs. I had to break it down to him. We as a family had purposely not spoken about the trial. I had no choice but to break his heart last Sunday. I don't wish this upon anybody.
"It was the hardest thing I have had to do. He couldn't grasp it and still can't. It breaks my heart."
To try and explain the sentence in simpler terms, Lilly told Amadeus that his father was 'on the naughty step'. She also revealed she had not spoken to Becker since he was jailed, but would be willing to take their son to see his dad.
She added: "He [Amadeus] is dying to see his father. I have just told a 12-year-old that his father is in jail and the saddest part about it was I couldn't break it down because these kids are now going on YouTube and the internet. The internet is cruel.
"But he also has a loving support system around him. He is curious but I have told him we all make mistakes, your papa didn't listen to the law and he is on the naughty step. A bigger one.
"If he [Becker] would want to [see her in prison] yes, absolutely. With my son 100 per cent. Of course I want to see him. I'm dying to see him."
