Becker eager to play here

In the wake of the Philippines’ elevation to the Asia-Oceania zone Davis Cup Group 2, it now makes sense to take up the offer of tennis legend Boris Becker to play an exhibition here with John McEnroe.

Becker, 38, told The STAR during the recent National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals he would welcome the opportunity to play in Manila and could bring along McEnroe for a match.

Becker was in Miami to work Games 3 and 4 in the Finals as a courtside interviewer for the German TV network Premier. He flew in from Germany to cover the games, which featured star Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks, and returned before Game 5 for another TV assignment in the World Cup.

In an interview, Becker said it was his first time to watch an NBA Finals game live and called it a great experience.

Although basketball is not widely popular in Germany, Becker said Nowitzki’s emergence as an NBA superstar has triggered more interest in the sport.

"I can see Nowitzki becoming the best German athlete of his time," he said. "It’s obvious the Dallas team is built around him and that’s a tribute to his talent."

Becker said he’s never been to Manila although he’s traveled to different countries in Asia.

"I would love to go to Manila and play an exhibition," said Becker.

"I could bring someone like McEnroe with me to play."

In a 1986 Davis Cup match, Becker and McEnroe figured in an epic six-hour and 39-minute marathon match. With no tiebreaks in the rules, Becker outlasted McEnroe, 4-6, 15-13, 8-10, 6-3, 6-3.

Becker said tennis has dramatically changed in the way it’s played today from the way it was during his heyday.

"The game is now more scientific, more technical with so many innovations in the makeup of a racket," said Becker. "Players have to adjust to the breakthroughs in racket design."

Although he is a big Nowitzki fan, Becker said his heart was torn in the Finals because he owns a second home in South Florida. Becker has kept a South Florida pad for 15 years. He also has homes in Schwyz, Switzerland, and Monte Carlo, Monaco.

"The best way to fix this is to get Dirk in a Heat jersey," quipped Becker, quoted by The Miami Herald.

Becker didn’t focus all his attention on Nowitzki during his Finals coverage. He was also spotted conversing with Miami guard Dwyane Wade.

At a Heat press briefing the day before Game 5, Becker stopped Wade – riding a motor-driven, open mini-car to rest his sore limbs – in the corridor of the American Airlines Arena for an ambush interview. Wade dutifully accommodated Becker.

Cecil Mamiit, who recently powered the country’s Davis Cup team to a sweep of its zonal assignments, singled out Becker as his inspiration.

Mamiit was once Becker’s regular hitting partner.

"I really like his serve and volley game," said Mamiit in a talk with local tennis guru Randy Villanueva. "I got to know him when I was 17 and traveled with him. He was the first pro I actually encountered and traveled with. It was a delight to travel with him and know his family. For me, it honed, a little bit, my experience as a tennis player."

Villanueva said bringing Becker to Manila would be a boost to Philippine tennis.

"Becker was my childhood idol and when Puma used to sponsor me as a player, my apparel, bags and rackets were all branded Becker," said Villanueva, a former nationally ranked juniors star and the tennis tournament director in the last Southeast Asian Games.

"Whatever racket he used, I used, too. McEnroe played here before in an exhibition with Bjorn Borg called "Fire and Ice in Manila." I was a waterboy volunteer then for Borg who even gave me his wristbands. It would be great if Becker and McEnroe could play here."

Becker said if there is interest in Manila to bring him over for an exhibition, he’s ready to play.