Björn Borg is a Swedish former world No. 1 tennis player widely considered to be one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. Between 1974 and 1981 he became the first man in the Open Era to win 11 Grand Slam singles titles (six at the French Open and five consecutive at Wimbledon). He also won three year-end championships and 15 Grand Prix Super Series titles. Overall, he set numerous records that still stand. A teenage sensation at the start of his career, Borg's unprecedented stardom and consistent success helped propel the rising popularity of tennis during the 1970s.
With 11 Grand Slam titles, Borg ranks sixth in the list of male tennis players who have won the most Grand Slam singles titles behind Roger Federer (20), Rafael Nadal (18), Novak Djokovic (15), Pete Sampras (14) and Roy Emerson (12). He won on three consecutive occasions The French Open-Wimbledon double, called by Wimbledon officials "the most difficult double in tennis" and "a feat considered impossible among today's players." Only Nadal and Federer have managed to achieve this double since, and Andre Agassi, Nadal, Federer and Djokovic are the only male players since Borg to have won the French Open and Wimbledon men's singles titles over their career. Ilie Năstase once said about Borg, "We're playing tennis, and he's playing something else".
In his 1979 autobiography, Jack Kramer, the long-time tennis promoter and great player himself, had already included Borg in his list of the 21 greatest players of all time. And in 2003, Bud Collins chose Borg as one of his top-five male players of all time. In 2008, ESPN asked tennis analysts, writers, and former players to build the perfect open era player. Borg was the only player mentioned in four categories: defence, footwork, intangibles, and mental toughness—with his mental game and footwork singled out as the best in open era history.
Borg famously never won the US Open, losing in the final four times. He also never won the Australian Open, as he only played in the event once, in 1974 as a 17-year-old. Even though it was then played on grass, a surface where he enjoyed much of his success, Borg's only appearance there saw him lose in the 3rd round. The only players to defeat Borg in a Grand Slam final were fellow World No. 1 tennis players John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors. He did, however, enjoy success as a team player winning the Davis Cup with Sweden 1975.
In 1983 Borg's announced his retirement from the game at the young age of 26, a huge shock to the tennis world. John McEnroe, his great rival, tried to persuade Borg to continue but was unsuccessful in his efforts. Almost ten years later, Borg attempted a comeback but his best years were behind him and he failed to win a single match. He later joined the seniors' tour with greater success.
As well his numerous tennis titles, Borg was awarded the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Overseas Personality Award in 1979, followed by the BBC Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1987. His status within sports is so great that his rivalry with John McEnroe was made into a feature film entitled 'Borg vs McEnroe'.
As an after-dinner tennis speaker, Borg's impact at events and conferences is immeasurable. His insight into what it takes to become a world champion and to maintain that level of dominance year after year is almost unrivalled. Talking on topics including peak performance, mental toughness and leadership & teamwork, Borg's contribution to any event is difficult to match.
