Boris Becker in deep mourning as former Wimbledon champion's mum dies aged 89

BORIS BECKER is in "deep mourning" after his mother died aged 89. Elvira Becker passed away at her apartment in Germany, having stood by the three-time Wimbledon champion throughout his highs and lows. The tennis legend was reportedly informed by phone and returned to her home town of Leimen, Baden-Württemberg, where he was born. Elvira died on Thursday, the day before her son's 57th birthday. Their relationship was especially close as she was always by his side - as much, if not more during the troubled periods that followed his celebrated career on the court. Those problems included financial issues, with the five-time Grand Slam winner jailed in Britain for seven months in 2022 for bankruptcy offences. It's there where her bond with her son was perhaps needed most, as it's understood her phone calls helped keep him going. Unfortunately, Elvira's weakening health and mobility difficulties meant she was unable to see him get married for the third time, to Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro in Italy two months ago. But mum and son remained as close as ever. When visiting her back in May, he posted photos on Instagram alongside the message: "The one and only... Elvira! Happy Mother's Day." The former World No1's lawyer Oliver Moser confirmed her death, adding: "Boris Becker is in deep mourning." Elvira and her husband Karl-Heinz, who died from cancer in 1999, were major figures in his tennis development, leading to him becoming Wimbledon's youngest ever winner aged 17 in 1985. And of course, Elvira was at SW19 that day in July 39 years ago to see her unseeded son make history. That incredible occasion was made all the more remarkable as she had fled Czechoslovakia with her family in or after the Second World War.