Björn Borg is a Swedish former professional tennis player, who is widely regarded as one of the sport’s all-time greats. A teenage sensation in the 1970s, Borg rose to World No. 1 and won 66 singles titles, including six French Open and five consecutive Wimbledon crowns.
Borg’s intense rivalries with Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe, particularly the 1980 Wimbledon final, became cultural milestones. He retired at just 25 years old.
| Height / weight | 1.8 m / |
| Born | 6 Jun 1956 |
| Nationality |
Sweden
|
| Playing Style | Right Handed |
| Nickname | Ice Man |
| Official Site | http://bjornborg.com |
Player Profile and Personal Life
Björn Rune Borg was born on June 6, 1956, in Stockholm, Sweden, and later resided in Norrmalm, central Stockholm. Standing 180 cm tall, Björn Rune Borg played right-handed with a two-handed backhand, an unusual technique at the time. His father, Rune, was an electrician, and his mother, Margaretha, supported his early interest in tennis after gifting him a golden racket won in a table-tennis tournament.
His calm demeanor on court earned him the nickname “Ice Man.” Borg married Romanian tennis pro Mariana Simionescu in 1980 (divorced 1984), singer Loredana Bertè (1989–1993), and Patricia Östfeld in 2002. He has two sons, Robin and Leo, the latter also a professional tennis player.
He was coached by Lennart Bergelin and Ron Thatcher. In his short career, he earned over US$3.6 Million in prize money.
Junior Career
Borg’s junior career was marked by rapid progress and early promise. He won the Wimbledon junior singles title in 1972 and the Orange Bowl Junior Championship later that year. By 15, he had already debuted for Sweden in the Davis Cup, winning his first singles rubber in five sets.
Career
Borg turned professional in 1973 and quickly made an impact, reaching his first singles final at Monte Carlo that year. In 1974, just before his 18th birthday, he claimed his first major title at the French Open, becoming the youngest male champion in tournament history at the time.
Borg’s dominance on clay was unmatched—he won six French Open titles, never losing a final, and was the only man to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year three times (the Channel Slam).
From 1976 to 1980, Borg won five consecutive Wimbledon titles, a record at the time, and was renowned for his ability to adapt his baseline game to grass courts. His 1980 Wimbledon final victory over John McEnroe is considered one of the greatest matches in tennis history.
Borg also reached four US Open finals but never won the title, finishing as runner-up to Jimmy Connors and McEnroe.
Borg’s career statistics are remarkable: 66 singles titles, 654–140 career record (82.4% win rate), three year-end championships, and 16 Grand Prix Super Series titles.
In 1979, he became the first player to earn over US$1 million in a single season. He was ATP Player of the Year from 1976 to 1980, year-end No. 1 in 1979 and 1980, and ITF World Champion from 1978 to 1980.
In the Davis Cup, Borg led Sweden to its first title in 1975, winning all his singles and doubles rubbers in the final. He retired unexpectedly in 1981 at age 25, citing loss of motivation, but made a brief comeback in the early 1990s.
Career Record
Singles
- Career Titles: 66
- Highest Singles Ranking: No. 1 (August 23, 1977)
- Career Record: 654–140 (82.4%)
Best Grand Slam Singles Performances
- Australian Open – 3rd Round (1974)
- French Open – Winner (1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981)
- Wimbledon – Winner (1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980)
- US Open – Finalist (1976, 1978, 1980, 1981)
Other Tournaments
- Tour Finals – Winner (1979, 1980)
- WCT Finals – Winner (1976)
- US Pro – Winner (1974, 1975, 1976)
- Wembley Pro – Winner (1977)
- Davis Cup – Winner (1975)
Doubles
- Career Titles: 4
- Career Record: 86–81 (51.2%)
Best Grand Slam Doubles Performances
- Australian Open – 3rd Round (1973)
- French Open – Semifinals (1974, 1975)
- Wimbledon – 3rd Round (1976)
- US Open – 3rd Round (1975)
