Tennis News: Becker opens up on prison time, Murray 'one major injury from retirement', Aussie young guns receive AO wildcards

Boris Becker was released early from prison and deported to Germany on December 15. He was sentenced to 30 months in prison for illicitly transferring large amounts of money and hiding assets. The former tennis star was allocated a single cell and three experienced inmates to guide him in his new life behind bars. In November, fellow prisoners organised several cakes for his birthday. Becker rose to stardom in 1985 at age 17 when he became the first unseeded player to win the men's singles title at Wimbledon. After retiring from professional tennis in 1999, he worked as a coach and television pundit.

Andy Murray is training with Ivan Lendl ahead of the Australian Open. Murray has missed the last five editions of Melbourne Park due to injuries. He has two Wimbledon singles titles and a US Open to his name. Roger Federer retired from tennis in September due with a knee injury. Murray was recently named the 2022 Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award recipient. It is in recognition of his support for the humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. The former world No.1 has never won the AO. His ranking went from 125 to 50 in a year. he is hoping to improve his fitness this year and keep playing.

Gadecki, Kubler, Alexei Popyrin, Jason Kublers, Rinky Hijikata, Storm Hunter and Talia Gibson are the six locals who have been awarded wildcards into their home grand slam. Gadecki upset then-defending Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin at the Phillip Island Trophy in 2021. Hunter came close to beating Aryna Sabalenka at Rod Laver Arena in 2022. Gibson was named Junior Female Athlete of the Year at recent Newcombe Medal Australian Tennis Awards. The 18-year-old has won more than 50 matches on the secondary ITF circuit.

Tennis news includes Becker's prison time and Murray's retirement. Aussie young guns receive AO wildcards.