A C E After 12 years of professional tennis he returns to Baylor. Benjamin Becker opens up about his life decisions and why he came back to school after all those years. WRITTEN BY CHARLENE LEE | INTERVIEW WITH BENJAMIN BECKER We all have dreams and aspirations of what Benjamin Becker was born in Germany, a we want to be when we’re older. Some dream country predominantly known for soccer. It of becoming movie stars, while others dream wasn’t until pro-tennis players Boris Becker of becoming the president of the U.S. For and Andre Agassi came into the spotlight most, those childhood dreams dissipate or that tennis became an active and grow- change overtime, but that wasn’t the case for ing sport in the country. Inspired by those Benjamin Becker. He dreamt of becoming a players, Becker picked up a racket for the pro-tennis player since he was 7 and at the first time at age 7 and a dream was born. “I age of 24, his dreams became a reality. didn’t really know about tennis before Boris I SAW AN OPPORTUNITY AND I HAD TO TAKE IT. I WANTED TO AVOID REGRETTING SOMETHING LATER IN LIFE AND DECIDED TO TAKE A or Andre,” Becker said. “Seeing them play even defeating his idol, Andre Agassi in what and move the way they did on the tennis was Agassi’s final game of his career. court opened my eyes to tennis and I knew I After 12 years of professional tennis, Becker wanted to be like them.” returned to Baylor University in the fall of He played all through high school and in 2017 to finish his last semester and earn his 2002 he stepped on U.S. soil for the first time Bachelor’s Degree in business. In addition, he and joined the Baylor University tennis team. wanted to give back to the team that helped Becker played for Baylor for four years. He him go as far as he did in his professional said those years were critical for his develop- career by working with the tennis team by ment as a tennis player. “I wouldn’t be where serving as a hitting partner during their I am today if it weren’t for my time at Baylor practices. during those four years. I learned how to be a “The opportunity for our guys to work with better player and I got to build relationships him daily and practice is really unprecedent- with my teammates who helped support me ed. It’s fantastic for the guys on the team,” and my dreams of going professional,” Beck- Baylor Tennis head coach Knoll said. “I think er said. that he’s a great example for our guys. Benni’s During his time at Baylor, he earned Big 12 committed to education and for him to come Freshman and ITA Region IV Rookie of the back and get his business degree says a lot Year in 2002, ranking 11th in the nation. He about who he is and what kind of character also became a three-time singles All-Amer- he has. It’s the kind of character we want to ican, a four-time All-Big 12 pick, won the build in our guys.” 2004 NCAA singles and led the team to their Overall, Becker is content with the choices first national championship. he’s made and is glad to be back at Baylor. “I In 2005, he decided to put school on hold saw an opportunity and I had to take it,” he and put his dream into action, entering the said. “I wanted to avoid regretting something world of professional tennis. He played in later in life and decided to take a risk by countries all over the world and became leaving Baylor and going professional. I am wildly successful. In the U.S. Open of 2006, happy with the choices I’ve made and now Becker found himself playing against and I’m back to finish what I started years ago.” .