Apple TV+ expands sports doc offering with Boris Becker series

Boris Becker

Apple TV+ has commissioned a two-part docuseries about German tennis champion Boris Becker, from Oscar-winning filmmakers Alex Gibney and John Battsek.

The as-yet-untitled doc aims to explore “every aspect” of the man who became a tennis sensation after winning The Wimbledon Championships at the age of just 17, going on to win 49 career titles including six Grand Slams and an Olympic gold medal, as well as his high profile, sometimes tumultuous personal life.

The filmmakers have had special access to Becker for more than three years, until late April 2022, when he was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison for hiding assets and loans to avoid paying his debts.

The series features a series of personal interviews with Becker, including an exclusive conversation with the champion the week of his sentencing, alongside members of his immediate family and tennis stars including John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg, Novak Djokovic, Mats Wilander and Michael Stich.

The series is a co-production between Battsek’s Ventureland and Gibney’s Jigsaw Productions, from Lorton Entertainment, also behind the sportsmen-focused titles Diego Maradona and Rooney.

The docuseries likewise follows other recent factual Apple TV+ commissions focused around sports stars, including Underrated, a one-off documentary exploring the story of NBA superstar Stephen Curry, Greatness Code, They Call Me Magic and The Long Game: Bigger Than Basketball.