Becker Laments Lack of Tennis on German TV

Written by: Staff on 29th November 2011

Becker Laments Lack of Tennis on German TV

German tennis great Boris Becker sits in the photographer's pit as Andy Murray of Great Britain plays John Isner of the US during their Quarterfinals round match on the twelfth day of the 2011 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA 09 September 2011. The US Open has been extended due to weather for the fourth year in a row and the men's final will now be played on 12 September 2011. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO |

Boris Becker says that not only has the lack of success in German men’s tennis become a problem overall, but is also affecting how much television coverage the sport receives. Eurosport, shows many WTA matches that involve top German women such as Andrea Petkovic and Sabine Lisicki, but the men’s game is rarely shown.

“We must achieve a better marketing of tennis in Germany. You can hardly watch tennis on TV,” he told DPA. “That is a mistake. How are you to promote a sport if it isn’t broadcast in the media,” he said.

Becker said he has offered his help to new German tennis Federation president Karl-Georg Altenburg and his vice-president Carl-Uwe Steeb, a close friend of Becker’s. Talks are ongoing.

“I have won enough honors in my career that I don’t have to be called vice president, sports officer or whatever. I am more a friend of the family and gladly ready for talks because I believe that I can help,” he said.

“DAILY TENNIS NEWS WIRE”

Topics: Boris Becker, German tennis