Boris Becker is playing coy following a potential link-up with Holger Rune after joining the world No 6 for a training week. Rune’s mother has since confirmed that the pair have been in contact every day as the 20-year-old begins his title defence at the Stockholm Open. But Becker is yet to publicly comment on whether or not he is now coaching Rune.
Becker sparked rumours that he was taking on his first coaching role since leaving prison after posting some videos from the Monte Carlo Country Club last week. Rune later fuelled the fire when he shared two photos from his training week which showed the German alongside the rest of his team.
But the 55-year-old has been reluctant to confirm a partnership with Rune as Eurosport Germany reported that “Becker himself initially did not want to comment on the issue” when they asked, despite Becker being employed as a Eurosport pundit. While the retired pro remains tight-lipped, Rune’s mum and agent Aneke recently revealed that Becker remained in contact with her son.
“They have been in daily contact since we parted ways in Monaco. The starting point is certainly good to build on,” she told Ekstra Bladet. It means that Becker is not expected to be present in Stockholm for this week’s ATP 250 event but he will likely be giving Rune some guidance from afar.
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Aneke also explained why Becker could be a good fit to help mentor Rune, referencing the German’s Wimbledon triumph as a 17-year-old. Speaking to TV2, she said: “If we listen to the experience of a former top player, perhaps we can avoid some costly mistakes on our way.
“And Boris was also very young, even younger than Holger, when he achieved great success achieved.” If Becker’s partnership with Rune does come to fruition after the initial stages, it will be his first major coaching job since being released from prison last December.
