Boris Becker has been released from prison. The British broadcaster Sky News, citing the news agency PA News and the "Bild" newspaper, reported this on Thursday afternoon. The three-time Wimbledon winner is now being deported to Germany and is therefore already on his way home.

A plane is supposed to bring the 55-year-old to Germany. He is expected here in the coming hours. British media had previously reported that Becker was to be deported before Christmas. The German authorities have not yet confirmed his release from prison. British authorities have repeatedly emphasized in the past that they do not want to comment on individual cases.

Born in Leimen, he has been serving a prison sentence in Great Britain since the end of April. He was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for concealing millions of dollars in assets from his bankruptcy trustees. As a foreign citizen, the ex-tennis professional benefits from an expedited procedure that allows him to be released from prison and deported before half of his sentence has been served.

In Germany, there is no further prosecution in this matter. "He arrives as a free person," a representative of the German Bar Association recently told the DPA news agency.

Editor's Note: This article has been updated several times since it was first published.

Sources: "Sky News", "Bild" newspaper (paid content), news agencies AFP and DPA