Boris Becker: Who alive today do you admire most, and what draws you to them?

The question

Who alive today do you admire most, and what draws you to them?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

The Guardian's Q&A repeatedly uses this prompt, sometimes dropping 'living' while retaining the same comparative judgment.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Boris Becker

German tennis player, coach, and commentator

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

My sporting hero, Muhammad Ali.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 29 June 2012 source ↗

Mentioned in this answer

Person Muhammad Ali not yet on FLAPSS

Others on this question

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Walton Goggins

My wife, because of the lessons we’ve learned and what we have overcome over the course of our time together.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 May 2025 source ↗

Gok Wan British fashion consultant, author, chef and television presenter

Mum and Dad, for staying true to their love; sister, for combining integrity and humour; brother, for never being afraid; and my best mate, for showing true loyalty.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 12 June 2010 source ↗

Tommy Hilfiger American fashion designer

Jeffrey Sachs, director of the Earth Institute. The work he and the team are doing to reduce extreme poverty is phenomenal.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 December 2011 source ↗

Chris Hoy British track cyclist, 1994–2013

Jason Queally, a former teammate. He is older than me and was Olympic champion in Sydney. The way he mentored me, even though he knew I would be a rival, was amazing.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 10 February 2018 source ↗