Boris Becker has opened up about the toll his illustrious tennis career has taken on him and how he’s now three inches shorter than he was in his heyday.

Boris Becker explained the reason behind his height reducing (Image: Getty)

Boris Becker has shockingly revealed he’s lost three inches in height due to the numerous surgeries required after his retirement from tennis. The 57-year-old is a three-time Wimbledon champion and former World No. 1.

Becker burst onto the scene as a teenager, winning his first title in SW19 at the age of 17. He would go on to claim a pair of Australian Open titles, as well as a US Open crown, before hanging up his racket at age 32.

The German has dabbled with coaching post-retirement, tutoring Novak Djokovic for a three-year spell. But now appearing on a reality TV show, he’s opened up on his injury troubles.

Becker discussed the physical cost of his illustrious career on Netflix’s ‘Celebrity Bear Hunt’. In the show, celebrities are challenged to evade Bear Grylls in the wilds of Costa Rica. During a conversation with Spice Girl Mel B, Becker recounted his overwhelming fame, comparing himself to Taylor Swift before touching on his injuries.

“The biggest challenge really up until now is the aftermath. Think of Taylor Swift now,” he confessed, via the Mirror. “Back in the day in Germany, I was in the news every single day. What did I eat, where did I go, who I lunched with. Even my parents were intimidated.

“You can’t see it now, but I used to be very, very strong. I used to be taller. Yeah, I was about 6ft4. I’m 6ft1 now because of my hip and knees and ankle surgeries. It downgrades you. I lost three inches and I paid a heavy price.”

Becker was appearing on Netflix’s ‘Celebrity Bear Hunt’ (Image: Ray Burmiston/Netflix)

Becker also revealed that he suffered a gruelling knee injury early on in the series, and only signed up for the show to challenge himself. “For me, it was about being out of my comfort zone,” he told The Times.

“I’ve never slept in a room with 10 strangers; I’ve never been surrounded by snakes, crocodiles. And at my age I still want to challenge myself, [I] want to do things that I haven’t done before.

“I’m not surprised by anything anymore. And that became my role. I think all of them were comfortable speaking to me. Because for most situations, I have, not necessarily solutions, but I have ideas.”