Björn Borg
Björn Borg was a real star on the court with his incredible game, attractive appearance and icy calm. For this he was nicknamed “Ice man.” With 11 Grand Slam titles, the Borg set numerous records. Its unprecedented fame and consistent success have helped to increase the popularity of tennis in the 1970s. In 1979, Bjorn became the first player to earn more than a million dollars in prize money in one season. That time was called nothing more than “Borgomania”.
Tennis from 9 years old
Björn Borg was born in Stockholm, Sweden in 1956. As a hockey fan, he fell in love with tennis when his father brought the prize gold racket he received at the ping-pong tournament. The future champion was at that time only 9 years old. Having started training with Percy Rosberg, Björn won his first tournament at the age of 11, and at 13 years of age – competitions among peers and rivals older than a year. He had to drop out of school in order to completely surrender to tennis.
Further events developed on an increasing basis. At age 15, Borg falls into the Swedish Davis Cup team, becomes the Wimbledon junior champion and wins tournaments in Berlin, Barcelona and Miami. In 1972, at the age of 16, the athlete already plays as a professional.
Player Bjorn Borg – Stone Forest
Bjorn Borg titles and records
It is difficult to find a person in any sport that has grown to unprecedented heights as fast as Bjorn Borg. A champion of eleven major singles in just seven years (1974-81), he stunned and shocked the tennis world, retiring at 26. Most likely this happened because of the constant attention to his person and pressure on a rather young player. He surrendered on the court without a trace and quickly burned down.
Even in such a short period of time, the Borg left an indelible legacy in the history of tennis. He has won six French Open championships, including 4 in a row from 1978 to 1981. The Borg dominated Wimbledon like no other player since 1877. Having received five titles in a row, he scored an incredible game in a match with John McEnroe in 1980. Tennis players met a total of 22 times, and their confrontation was called a meeting of fire and ice.
“No one ever knew what I think or how I feel. If I laugh, cry, disappointed or happy, they don’t know. This does not mean that I did not boil inside, but I will never let anyone see it. ”
Tennis Player Bjorn Borg – Stone Forest
Bjorn Borg and McEnroe
Borg was known for his calm and carefree behavior on the court, while McEnroe was distinguished by restraint and aggression. Because of their contrasting personalities, this rivalry has been described as “fire and ice.”
In 1980, McEnroe first made it to the Wimbledon singles final. There he was “lucky” to meet Bjorn, who was striving for the fifth title. At the beginning of the final, John was booed for friction in the previous match with Jimmy Connors. Mackinroy walked ahead, but in the fifth set everything was decided by Borg. As a result, the Swedish tennis player received his title, and the match is considered one of the best in the history of tennis.
McEnroe defeated Borg in the US Open finals that year in five sets. In 1981, he defeated him again and again at the US Open. On that day, Bjorn left the stadium without waiting for the award ceremony. Soon after, he left tennis, having never won the US Open. The final meeting of fire and ice took place in 1983 in Tokyo at the Suntory Cup (invitation tournament), where the Borg won. Their incredible matches became the basis for the 2017 Borg / McEnroe movie.
“We were not involved in the work from the very beginning. When I saw the film, I thought that everything seems to be in order. But it’s more fiction, ”said Björn.
In a 1991 article for Sports Illustrated, Arthur Ashe said Bjorn was more than a player.
Diadora borg
Bjorn Borg was a pop star not only on the court, he was adored by teenagers, girls fell in love with his game, long blonde hair and brooding blue eyes. An impeccable sense of style made Borg an example of fashion.
On the court, the athlete’s clothing was quite traditional until a certain time. However, stylish sneakers from Diadora stood out. In the 1970s, the Italian brand was gaining popularity and hit the sport. Concluding a contract with the most successful and attractive tennis player, they presented a personalized pair of Diadora Borg Elite shoes. Made from kangaroo leather, they are complemented by gold, silver, black or red stripes. A special bag with the image of the Borg went to them. It was thanks to him that Diadora secured a place in fashion, as well as in sports history.
The issue that the champion wore in 1976-77 was reprinted in a limited edition to commemorate the athlete’s first triumph at Wimbledon. The brand also released them in 2008, as the first Bjorn Borg OG of the 70s and Elite of the 80s.
