Björn Borg was the first player to display unfaltering focus on the court

Bjorn Borg has claimed tennis in the modern era is more “gruelling” than it was during his playing career and admitted current stars have a “big responsibility” to promote the sport.

One of the most popular players in the history of the sport, Borg won 11 Grand Slam singles titles during his playing career and spent 109 weeks as the world No 1.

The Swedish icon largely stayed away from tennis after his retirement but has captained Team Europe at the Laver Cup since 2017, and is leading the team for one final time in 2024.

It didn’t go great the last time around. For those not familiar with one of the more notorious tennis walk-offs, after Borg lost in the U.S. Open final against John McEnroe in 1981 – his third consecutive loss to McEnroe in a Slam final – he grabbed his bag, headed for the tunnel, barely stopped in the locker room as he grabbed his car keys, then headed to the parking lot and drove off, leaving everyone a bit baffled during the trophy ceremony as to why the finalist was not there.

And that was basically it, other than two very abbreviated comeback attempts. The 11-time Grand Slam winner never played another Grand Slam match. He was essentially done. In January 1983, at the age of 26, he retired from tennis.

He made brief (and unsuccessful) attempts at comebacks in the early 1990s, but for decades Borg was pretty much off the tennis grid. And then, finally, there he was on the sidelines once again seven years ago, coaching Team Europe in the Laver Cup, Roger Federer’s attempt to create a tennis version of the Ryder Cup. McEnroe coached Team World, which was kind of perfect.

Farewell to the captains: Laver Cup pays tribute to Borg and McEnroe
Legendary heads of Team Europe and Team World step down from the tournament after seven years

 

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