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Boris Becker has joined the campaign to help NBA veteran Tony Snell secure a contract with an NBA team before Friday’s (February 2) deadline.
Snell needs one more NBA season to qualify for the Players Association’s retiree benefits program, which would provide him and his family with premium medical coverage. Snell's two sons Karter (3) and Kenzo (2), have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
Drafted in 2013's first round, Snell boasts nine NBA seasons, with his last appearance coming in the 2021-22 season for both the Portland Trail Blazers and the New Orleans Pelicans. He is currently in his second season with the Maine Celtics (NBA G League) as a mentor for the younger players.
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Snell aims to secure an NBA contract by Friday, marking his 10th year of league service. The milestone would qualify him for the Players Association’s retiree benefits program, providing access to the union’s premium medical plan for him and his family.
Tennis legend Becker took to his Instagram account on Thursday, February 1, to urge NBA teams to sign 32-year-old Snell.
"Get him new contract NBA," Becker wrote.
"Boris Becker has had a positive influence on Holger Rune" - Tennis journalist
Tennis journalist Jose Morgado affirmed that Boris Becker has had a constructive influence on Holger Rune as his coach.
Rune, currently ranked No. 7, enlisted Becker as part of his team ahead of the 2023 ATP Finals, where he faced a group-stage exit with two losses in three matches.
Despite the setback, Morgado noted that Becker's coaching expertise, which contributed to Novak Djokovic winning multiple Grand Slam titles between 2013 and 2016, has already shown positive effects on Rune.
In December 2023, Morgado said (via Flashscore):
"I think Becker can make a big difference for him. Becker was a great champion and that makes him more qualified than Lars Christensen and Patrick Moratoglou. Moratoglou is obviously a big name in tennis training, but Becker is a former winner Grand Slam, both as a player and coach, so he knows a thing or two about tennis."
Morgado added that Becker will continue to influence the youngster's body language and stress levels positively.
"It seems that Becker is very motivated because he went through a difficult period in his life, and it seems that he really missed tennis. And judging by his first impressions, it seems that he had a positive influence on Rune, because I think that Rune's body language he has improved, and I think that Boris Becker will be able to advise him to relax and not stress so much in moments when he is struggling to get things done," he added.
Since then, Rune has made it to the final of the 2024 Brisbane International, where he lost to second-seeded Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets. However, the Dane faced a second-round exit at the Australian Open against Arthur Cazaux in a four-set thriller.
Holger Rune is currently participating as a top seed at the Open Sud de France in Montpellier, where he is all set to face Michael Mmoh in the quarterfinals on Friday, February 2. The 20-year-old received a bye in the first round and defeated Pablo Llamas Ruiz in straight sets in the Round of 16.
