Bjorn Borg gives a “gruelling” decision, comparing the state of tennis in his day to…
Tennis nowadays, according to Bjorn Borg, is more “grueling” than it was in his day, and current players have a “huge responsibility” to advance the game.
Throughout his playing career, Borg, one of the most well-liked athletes in sports history, won 11 Grand Slam singles titles and held the top spot in the world rankings for 109 weeks.
After retiring, the Swedish legend mainly avoided tennis, but from 2017, he has captained Team Europe in the Laver Cup, and in 2024, he will lead the squad for the last match.
The 68-year-old acknowledged in an interview with the New York Times that players today play in a harder environment than they did in his day, but he also applauded the younger generation of players for accepting their part in advancing the game.
“They hit the ball harder,” he remarked. To play like they do is far more taxing.
“There is the TV component as well. They are well-known stars. Tennis players have a lot of responsibility because the game has grown to be one of the largest in the world. They must encourage individuals and advance the sport.
Borg won six French Open titles and five Wimbledon titles before quitting the sport at the age of 26, with mental exhaustion playing a major role in his choice.
One of the most notable distinctions between Borg’s playing days and today is that the Swede frequently traveled alone with his coach.
