Calcutta: Boris 'Boom Boom' Becker, an iconic tennis superstar, spoke to The Telegraph on Saturday afternoon.

When this Reporter pointed out that his maiden Wimbledon title had come on this newspaper's third anniversary (July 7, 1985), the witty Becker quipped: "Then, we're of the same age!"

Becker, a Puma legend, is 49.

Excerpts...

Q Thirtyone years after the first of your six Grand Slam titles, you're still remembered for being a game-changer in some ways... Over the decades, then, have you been conscious about being Boris Franz Becker?

A (Smiles) Game-changer... That's a compliment, so thank you very much... Look, I've got the chance to do many things in the sport... From player to coach to commentator. I'm happy to have been a part of this great tennis community. I remain passionate about the sport.

Clearly, you've retained your phenomenal fan following...

It's very humbling. It's very overwhelming.

You were an inspirational player and made a massive impact globally. Who inspired you?

My biggest inspiration in tennis was Bjorn Borg. His exploits at Wimbledon fascinated me, caught my imagination like nothing else. Now, of course, Borg's a friend and I'm honoured that he is one. We still have wonderful discussions on tennis.

Biggest inspiration outside tennis...

I grew up in the days when Muhammad Ali was at his very best, so he was an inspiration... Michael Jordan too... Then, growing up in Germany, I was inspired by Franz Beckenbauer... The Kaiser was an idol.

You've listed champions as your inspiration. Fact is you were yourself a champion... What goes into the making of one?

First, you need to have the passion and love for the sport. That has to be at the core of why you take to tennis or soccer or cricket... Then, as in any other success story, you need to be dedicated and disciplined... Need to have a high level of work ethic... Money will come, of course, but that shouldn't be the reason for taking to a sport. The reason(s) have to be right. Money, trophies... They come and go, but the love must always be there.

Is there some advice from somebody you haven't forgotten?

I haven't forgotten what my parents (Karl-Heinz and Elvira) taught me... They gave me a great foundation to build on both as a person and as a tennis player... I was able to grow up in peace and in harmony, could set goals... Maybe, as a teenager, I wasn't able to fully understand their contribution. In later years, I did. I should add that I was also lucky to have great coaches and managers.

Your father actually built a tennis centre for you...

Yes, father was the architect.

What would be your advice for the teenagers of today who have big dreams?

The present-day teenagers communicate in a different language, strongly influenced by social media... There's far too much information out in the public domain, out on different social media platforms... That is sad and is one reason why teenaged tennis players nowadays don't excel quickly... They have far too many sources of information, which stops them from stepping on to the practice courts. So, my advice for those inclined towards sport is: Practice.

Did your recent split with Novak Djokovic lead to bitterness?

(Emphatically) Absolutely not... We had the time of our lives during the three years that I was Novak's coach.

But the split took us by surprise as you'd helped Novak win six Grand Slams and the partnership had been so successful...

It wasn't that much of a surprise for us... A player-coach relationship is a very personal one and such decisions don't get taken overnight. There was no bitterness at all when we decided it was time to move on, go our separate ways. But let me tell you that Novak and I parted as friends.

That's wonderful...

Novak knows that if he needs something, he can call me.

Is there a complete tennis player or one who comes closest to perfection?

Novak won four Majors (Grand Slams) in a row in 2015-16, something that hadn't been done since Rod Laver in 1969... So, that was a moment of perfection.

Roger Federer?

With 17 Grand Slams, Roger's certainly the most successful... One is often asked who is the best? Laver, Borg, John McEnroe, Pete Sampras, Federer, Novak, Andy Murray... Look, they are or have all been the best. Some have played in a different era, that's it. Identifying one is not easy.

Your take on allegations of fixing and doping? Both hurt sport in general and tennis in particular...

(Passionately) I'm convinced all the top tennis players are clean. I mean nobody can win a Grand Slam or make the top-50 by fixing... But, yes, there are black sheep in every family... The tennis family which covers thousands of players, does have idiots... That's how I'd describe the black sheep... In my opinion, the fixing story which broke earlier this year had been blown out of proportion... As for doping, the Wada regulations are in place and those who contravene get caught.

Like Maria Sharapova?

Sharapova has been punished and will be back next year. That she was caught proves the system does work. I believe Sharapova deserves another chance.

I met you during the India-England Test at Lord's in 2007... Do you follow cricket closely?

No. I'm not a connoisseur of cricket. Don't know the regulations well enough.

You were then with wife Lilly and I recall you'd been mobbed...

That must have been because of her, not me.

Some questions away from sport... You're an international celebrity, a citizen of the world, so to say... What is your take on terrorism which has affected almost the entire globe?

Today, terrorism is the biggest problem in the world... The world isn't a safe place any more... I travel a lot and the terrorism issue is definitely worrying... The security checks at airports across the world are a real pain in the neck, but I realise why they have been put in place... We just have to be alert, keep eyes and ears open. Terrorism is affecting the global community and it's not about Asia or Europe or the USA. We need to work together... It's a world problem.

You reside in London but I guess you could have a career in politics back in Germany. Are you inclined towards politics?

I'm very happy doing whatever I am. Besides, Chancellor Angela Merkel is doing a good job! Of course, I do follow politics and have my opinion on issues, but I'm at home in sport.

So, there's no chance of you bidding for the Chancellorship in years to come?

No.

You've lived life on your terms and haven't really been the conventional type... You also played differently, firing booming serves, flinging yourself on the court and unleashing that one-handed backhand which was lethal...

I looked different too!

Is there pressure on celebrities like you to actually conduct yourself in a certain way?

You've mentioned having lived life on my terms... It's each to his or her own... How I want to live my life would be perfect for me, but not necessarily perfect for somebody else. Every individual has to find his/her path on how to live his or her life. As I said, each to his own.

Regrets?

Plenty.

We'll then end on this one... Regrets such as?

(Laughs) I'll need another hour to talk about all the regrets. Would have to be later, maybe at Lord's.