'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAUACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABeAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgQAAICAwEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAECAxEABAUSBiEBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQGEQADAAIDAQAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMREgAEBQb/2gAMAwEAAhEDEQA/AM3xGL6DQ62y8SxScThSbCFbAdYdgJ4AXyFsuTf7ksHC05oIpAXQOit5BoCxdDGMV5AVulTZVbF2AJUE8pvqYRh7OkkWanqwYqg1GWQEnA5//9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Former World No. 1 Boris Becker has stood up for Romelu Lukaku in the Belgian's fight against racism.
The Inter Milan striker was the victim of racial abuse during his team's recent Coppa Italia semifinal tie against Juventus. The in-form Belgian bagged his fifth goal in the last four games to secure a crucial draw and keep their hopes alive of progressing to the final.
However, monkey chants and racial gestures directed towards Lukaku before he successfully converted his penalty stole the spotlight. The 29-year-old was also sent off in the dying moments of the game after he saw a second yellow card for a provocative celebration in response to the abuse.
Taking to social media later, the Belgian urged the concerned authorities to take strict action against racism and thanked those who supported him during the incident.
"History repeats. I've been through it in 2019.. and 2023 again. I hope the league takes action for real this time because this beautiful game should be enjoyed by everyone… Thank you for the supportive messages. F*ck racism," Romelu Lukaku wrote on Instagram.
Becker shared the post on his Instagram Story, declaring his support for the former Chelsea striker.
"We will always support you," Boris Becker said.
Becker himself experienced racial abuse when he took part in the Black Lives Matter campaign in 2020. He was targeted by angry comments on Twitter for appearing in an anti-racism demonstration in London.
The 55-year-old, whose ex-wife Barbora is the daughter of an African American, called for his country to be united and actively speak out against the sensitive issue.
"I must have hit a sour spot with my Tweet about my family history and Black Lives Matter. In my country Germany, I think the fight against racism has swept a bit under the carpet and I think that's a pity. We should talk about it more publicly, We are all one family," Boris Becker said in a post on his Twitter account at the time.
Boris Becker congratulates Petra Kvitova for winning Miami Open title
Boris Becker recently congratulated Petra Kvitova for capturing the Miami Open crown for the first time in her career. The World No. 10 ended Elena Rybakina's 11-match win streak by outclassing her 7-6(14), 6-2 in straight sets in the final of the 2023 edition.
Becker took to Instagram to felicitate Kvitova's outstanding performance in Miami as the Czech player clinched her ninth WTA 1000 title.
"Congratulations Petra," Becker wrote.
Meanwhile, an upcoming two-part documentary revolving around the German legend, titled "Boom! Boom! The World vs. Boris Becker," will be released on Apple TV+ in the coming days.
