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Tennis icon Bjorn Borg on Novak Djokovic being the greatest but are his dreams of winning a 25th Grand Slam fading? | Tennis News
Tennis icon Bjorn Borg says Novak Djokovic is the greatest of all time – but are his dreams of winning a 25th Grand Slam fading? He will turn 39 in May!
“Game knows game.” When sporting idol speaks, people listen. Bjorn Borg won 11 Grand Slam titles including five successive Wimbledon crowns and spent 109 weeks as world No 1.
He has seen it all and knows what he is talking about. He pins his colours to the mast in the big tennis debate – who is the greatest?
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Djokovic admitted Alcaraz and Sinner are too strong across a best-of-five set match but vowed to keep fighting for Grand Slams after he exited the US Open in the semi-finals
“I think the way he’s playing, Djokovic, for me, is the greatest player to have ever played the game. And then the second place comes to (Roger) Federer and (Rafa) Nadal. They tied for the second place,” said Borg, who was known as the ice-cool king of Wimbledon.
“It’s amazing how he can play that kind of tennis, 38 years old. I’m very impressed.
“I know he wants to win that 25th Grand Slam tournament. I hope he’s going to play one more year, at least next year too, because the tennis he’s playing. It’s going to be tough with (Jannik) Sinner and (Carlos) Alcaraz and some other players too, but still, he can do it.”
While Djokovic is still going at the age of 38, Borg did not have the same longevity. He retired at the age of 26 – at the time the decision stunned the sporting world.
He lost his motivation, and his fame meant a lack of privacy. “I could never be by myself. I had room service all the time. If I went down to a restaurant or the hotel, there was people around. If I went to a restaurant in town, there was always 15 or 20 photographers outside.”
Borg sinks to his knees after winning a fifth successive singles title at Wimbledon
Borg did make a comeback in the early 1990s but never reached the same levels.
In the 1970s and 1980s, players had coaches but not the additional support staff they have now. There were no psychologists or no nutritionists in the players’ boxes. If he had had that level of support when he was playing, would he have continued?
Borg took a long pause and thought carefully before answering: “That’s a good question. I think today, they have a big entourage. They have their teams, they have agents, they have so many people around them. Not only like when they play tennis, even when they come home.
“If I would have that kind of people around me, like you said, we were by ourselves. If we need to do something, we have to fix it by ourselves. No help at all whatsoever.
“If I had those people around me during that particular time, when I felt that I didn’t feel so good about my life with the tennis, I think maybe it would be completely different because I didn’t have those people. It could be a huge difference with me and maybe with all that kind of help like they have today, maybe I’ll continue to play tennis, yes.”
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The Sky Sports tennis team look at why Djokovic struggled against Alcaraz at the US Open
The rivalry
Borg and John McEnroe have also been rivals at the Laver Cup as team captains for Team Europe and Team World
Tennis lovers of a certain age (the younger fans can search on YouTube) look back fondly on Borg’s rivalry with John McEnroe.
It has left an indelible mark on the sport. There was a stark contrast in their temperaments. Borg was known as the ‘Ice Man’ for his coolness while McEnroe was the bad boy with his verbal outbursts.
The 1980 Wimbledon final contested by the pair is still considered to be one of the greatest matches of all time.
While they always had respect for each other, it grew stronger when, during one match in New Orleans, Borg beckoned McEnroe over when the American was having one of his tantrums on court.
“I think the whole thing changed. We played one match in New Orleans in United States, a big tournament.
“We played the final. I was up 4-1 in the third set, and I was winning. And John, that was the only time he was behaving very bad against me.
“We had a rally or something, and it was 4-1 and 15-0 or something. And I looked at John and said maybe you should come to the net.
“I did like this with the finger, come, John. And John looked at me like, are you crazy? Why should I go up and talk to you? No, come. And he walked slowly up to me, and he said, what do you want? And I told John; this is only a game.
“Just take it easy. And John looked at me like, are you crazy or something? I had match point.
“He ended up winning the match. But after that particular match, we got such a respect from each other, not only the tennis court, but even outside the tennis court. Good friends.”
Drugs, overdose, and subsequent heart attack
The Swedish tennis legend spoke to Sky Sports News’ Elliot Cook about life after retirement
Borg was speaking ahead of the launch of his autobiography ‘Heartbeats, a Memoir’ which he has co-written with his wife Patricia.
He revealed the issues he had after he retired from the sport for the first time in 1981. Initially, he enjoyed his life away from tennis, but then then he started to take drugs. In 1989 Borg was taken to hospital after an overdose and a few years later he collapsed on a bridge due to a heart attack connected to drugs.
“I feel so much relief now to tell the story because it’s happening so many things, good things, bad things in my life,” he said. “But it’s kind of a relief to do this book, because I’ve been thinking about the past so many times over the years, and I was thinking like, how could I take this stupid decision sometimes? I mean, I took some good decisions too, but so many stupid decisions.
“I got involved with relationships I shouldn’t be in, or things I shouldn’t be involved with. So, for me right now, sitting here speaking to you, I feel very happy, very satisfied.”
Borg’s fight against prostate cancer
Borg holds the Wimbledon trophy in 1978
Borg was diagnosed with prostate cancer late in 2023 and had to undergo an operation. He is currently in remission but still needs to go for regular checks.
“The doctors told me, it was good you did it [the operation] because this looks really bad, very, very bad. So still, I have some sleeping cancer cells in my body, but I go every six months and test myself.
“My test last time was in August and I’m okay, I’m very good, no problem. Every six months I go and test myself. But everything is fine, I’m good, I’m happy, so no problem.”
The sporting world is hoping it stays that way.
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Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi says that the club have completed 60% of their project in the transfer market, which could suggest that there are still four more signings to come if the Italian is solely talking about incomings.
Tottenham have of course brought in six players to date, which would match up to the 60% figure, while it is widely known that he wants at least two more attacking players to arrive in north London before the September 1 deadline.
Spurs’ top attacking target was considered to be Manchester City winger Savinho, who club chiefs will hope to finally land after a year-long pursuit of the Brazilian.
There are some suggestions that a deal is likely to happen, after the 22-year-old told City he wanted to leave and join a new club, once the Premier League runners-up sign a replacement for the South American forward.
It was expected that he was the likely next arrival at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, especially after another target in Bournemouth’s Eli Junior Kroupi was ruled out for up to four months through injury, but De Zerbi’s latest hint suggests otherwise.
The Italian told reporters in Sydney that a transfer ‘Bomba’ is on the way for another forward who isn’t Savinho, and he said he ‘hoped’ it is close to being done.
Tottenham Hold Talks Over Ferran Torres Transfer
According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham are already looking at alternatives to Junior Kroupi after the Frenchman’s injury issues, including Barcelona’s Ferran Torres.
The Spain international became a global superstar after scoring the winning goal against Argentina in the World Cup final, yet there is a chance he could leave the Camp Nou this summer.
The 26-year-old could be available this summer should he fail to agree new contract terms with the La Liga champions, and Spurs would relish the opportunity to bring him back to the Premier League after his previous spell with Manchester City.
The report says that PSG are advancing towards an agreement for the Spaniard, but Tottenham have also held discussions with intermediaries regarding the attacker’s situation, and they continue to keep a close eye on developments.
Torres Would be a ‘Bomba’ Tottenham Transfer
De Zerbi’s smirk when he was delivering the ‘Bomba’ line to journalists suggested that this next signing will be an exciting one, and Torres certainly fits the bill.
The 26-year-old plays for Barcelona and has made more than 200 appearances for the Catalan giants, scoring 65 goals and registering a further 23 assists.
Of course, he has become an even bigger world star after his extra-time winner against Argentina in the World Cup final, as Spain lifted the famous trophy.
Torres has only made 28 Premier League appearances previously during his time with Man City, but he showed his pedigree with nine goals and three assists.
Tottenham will also harbour hopes of returning to the Champions League as soon as possible, and Torres bring an impressive record in that competition too, with 18 goals in 50 outings.
Let’s see if Spurs can get a deal over the line in the coming weeks, or if the incoming ‘Bomba’ signing is somebody else.
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Manchester United are looking to take advantage of a managerial departure to strengthen in a key area. The Red Devils are likely to be busy over the coming weeks as they look to fill key gaps and give Michael Carrick the best chance of kicking on from the progress made under his interim reign last season.
Carrick has already been handed two new midfielders in Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, while a third midfield signing is likely. United may also sign an attacker, but arguably no position is more important than the left-back position, given the lack of depth there. with Luke Shaw the only senior option on the left.
Man Utd preparing to make Hall move
According to TeamTalk, Man Utd are now preparing to make their opening move to sign Newcastle United defender Lewis Hall after big developments at St James’ Park. Eddie Howe has seemingly decided to walk away from his job at St James’ Park just weeks before the start of the season.
Howe has seen Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali sold this summer, and it is looking increasingly likely that Bruno Guimaraes will join Arsenal. That has likely led to frustration aplenty, but the reasons for his departure will become clearer.
Whatever the case, Newcastle are now looking for a new manager, and United reportedly sense it is the right time to strike as they look to land left-back Hall to add competition and depth to the left side of their defence.
Hall is said to be keen on a move to Old Trafford this summer, feeling as though he has a clear route to becoming the main starter, even if Shaw remains that role initially. Shaw has a colourful injury past and is now 31 years of age.
There has been talk of an asking price between £50million and £55million, but the Magpies have lost a lot of talent this summer, so that could change. United technical director Jason Wilcox is said to be personally driving the interest having been impressed by Hall’s versatility at the back.
Howe departure could be a major factor for Hall
Eddie Howe said of Hall last year: “You saw Lewis Hall’s technical ability, considering again the length of time he’s been out and he’s one that hadn’t trained with us, so we hadn’t really seen him during the international break. It was a great performance from him.”
Interestingly, Hall has been very complimentary of Howe, saying: “He’s been a massive part of my career so far. He’s definitely one of the most important managers I’ve had in terms of my development.
“Eddie’s a manager that has taken a lot of stuff from my game and improved it more than I ever thought he could do at this stage in my career, if I’m honest. The confidence and belief that he’s shown in me… I’m obviously really grateful to him for that.”
With Howe now leaving, Hall could end up pushing for a move, and United may be relying on that factor.
US Soccer have responded to CONCACAF’s decision to reject FIFA and Gianni Infantino’s plans to sell a minority stake in the World Cup.
One of the biggest scandals in the sport’s history has unfolded this week after Infantino’s proposal leaked and it’s been met with huge backlash. The FIFA President sent a letter to all 211 national member associations regarding a new commercial entity called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).
The idea involved selling a minority stake in the World Cup, with FIFA working with JPMorgan to raise $4.2 billion from private investors. Infantino fronted the scheme, and US President Donald Trump’s administration was reportedly approached about the deal.
USA Respond to CONCACAF Decision
UEFA were the first sporting body to strongly oppose Infantino’s proposal and a meeting has resulted in their nations threatening to boycott all FIFA competitions. That includes the 2030 World Cup, which is set to be co-hosted in Spain and Portugal.
CONCACAF likewise held a meeting with its member associations and released a statement responding to the plans. They have rejected the idea but haven’t mentioned a potential boycott.
The USA are a member of CONCACAF and they have confirmed that they back the decision, writing in response to the statement:
“U.S. Soccer stands with Concacaf and its members.”
Trump and Infantino have grown close since the World Cup was confirmed to be co-hosted in the United States, Mexico and Canada back in 2018. Their relationship has been called out by many in the sport, especially after FIFA opted to suspend Folarin Balogun’s one-game ban after receiving a contentious red card.
With Infantino’s relationship with Trump taking centre stage throughout this summer’s World Cup, there had been plenty of concerns over the president’s potential involvement in the FFE scheme. The plan is backed by Joshua Kushner’s investment fund and Kushner’s brother-in-law, Trump’s son-in-law.
Infantino Handed Huge Setback
With US investors such as Thrive Capital and JPMorgan backing Infantino’s scheme, US Soccer’s statement is a major setback for the FIFA president. Not only have 96 national federations now opposed his proposal, but the country which has been the main focus for the private equity venture has pushed back.
The likes of CONCACAF and CONMEBOL usually align with FIFA on commercial expansion, so this is hugely significant. It puts a ton of pressure on Infantino, who has come under immense criticism before, during and following a controversial World Cup.
UEFA have reportedly been pushing for Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi to run against Infantino at the next election. It’s clear that he is losing the support not just in Europe but on a global scale.
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