By Alex Perry BBC Sport Online

Boris Becker has always stood out from the crowd - and not just with his shock of red hair and piercing eyes.

As a player his acrobatic antics and dynamic power play made him the youngest ever Wimbledon Champion aged just 17 in 1985.

Now the BBC are hoping he will bring the same sort of style to the commentary box at Wimbledon.

Mind you, you need to be pretty special just to make the BBC team these days, with Boris joining a raft of former champions including John McEnroe and Pat Cash.

Becker won the first of three Wimbledon titles in 1985

McEnroe has already proved himself to be just as adept with his quips from the commentary box as he was with his half-volleys on the court.

And Boris is an admirer of McEnroe's "frank" style, saying he aims to be "respectful but honest".

"It made me mad to be criticised by commentators with big bellies, who never hit a tennis ball in their lives," says Boris.

"From that respect it's much more credible if you're a former champion."

The powers that be at Wimbledon have once more courted controversy by refusing to give the women's champion the same prize money as the men's.

But Becker is in agreement: "There are not many stars in the women's game. After five minutes you run out of names.

When Tim Henman's playing days are over he will have won Wimbledon at least once

Boris Becker

Becker now turns out on the seniors tour

"Everything is televised and every week you should be Prince Charming - this is not possible," he says.

After his initial success in 1985, Becker went on to claim two more titles and finish runner-up four times at Wimbledon.

And he retains a love affair with London, a place he calls "a home away from home" where he feels "really comfortable".

For this year's Wimbledon, Becker feels there are a handful of contenders for the title, but he rules out reigning champion Goran Ivanisevic, "the crazy Croat".

Henman's "natural" grass game makes him a serious challenger, according to Boris, who thinks Pete Sampras could have one last triumph to come.

But while all tennis fans will be glued to the action in SW19 come the end of June, Boris will have one eye on events going on a little further afield.

Germany go into the World Cup on the back of England's 5-1 win in Munich, a match Boris describes as a "tragedy".

But he remains confident: "You know how Germany is in the World Cup," he says with a wicked smile.

It's the sort of comment which is sure to make the nation's TV viewers sit up and take notice.