"Girls had never been important. I'd had a girlfriend or two and had liked them a lot but it wasn't love, because my first love was tennis"

This quote by Boris Becker speaks to the importance of tennis in his life. He acknowledges that he has actually had girlfriends in the past, however he does rule out them to be his puppy love. Instead, he states that his puppy love is tennis. This suggests that tennis has been a major part of his life for a long time, which it has actually been more important to him than any romantic relationships. It is most likely that tennis has actually been a source of happiness and satisfaction for Becker, which it has actually been a major part of his identity. This quote likewise speaks with the concept that for some individuals, their passions and interests can be more important than any romantic relationships.