Member-only story

Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, and the Last Days of Tennis' Golden Age

Andy Cole

·7.3k Followers· Follow

Published in High Strung: Bjorn Borg John McEnroe And The Last Days Of Tennis S Golden Age

5 min read

394 View Claps

36 Respond

Save

Listen

Bjorn Borg And John McEnroe At The 1981 Wimbledon Final High Strung: Bjorn Borg John McEnroe And The Last Days Of Tennis S Golden Age

The 1980s were a golden age for tennis. Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe were two of the greatest players of all time, and their rivalry was one of the most intense and memorable in sports history. In 1981, they met in the Wimbledon final, one of the most famous matches of all time. Borg won in five sets, but McEnroe got his revenge the following year, winning in four sets.

High Strung: Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, and the Last Days of Tennis's Golden Age

by Stephen Tignor

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	667 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	269 pages

The Wimbledon final between Borg and McEnroe was the last great match of tennis' golden age. The game has changed a lot since then, and it's unlikely that we'll ever see another rivalry like the one between Borg and McEnroe.

Bjorn Borg

Bjorn Borg was born in 1956 in Stockholm, Sweden. He started playing tennis at the age of nine, and quickly showed great promise. By the age of 18, he had won the Swedish national championship.

Borg turned professional in 1973, and quickly became one of the top players in the world. He won his first Grand Slam title at the French Open in 1974, and went on to win five Wimbledon titles, six French Open titles, and one US Open title.

Borg was known for his cool demeanor and his aggressive baseline play. He was also a master of the topspin forehand, which he used to great effect against his opponents.

John McEnroe

John McEnroe was born in 1959 in Wiesbaden, Germany. He started playing tennis at the age of eight, and quickly showed great talent. By the age of 16, he had won the US Open junior title.

McEnroe turned professional in 1977, and quickly became one of the top players in the world. He won his first Grand Slam title at the US Open in 1979, and went on to win seven Grand Slam singles titles, including three Wimbledon titles.

McEnroe was known for his aggressive style of play and his volatile temper. He was often involved in arguments with umpires and linesmen, and was even banned from Wimbledon for a time.

The Rivalry

The rivalry between Borg and McEnroe was one of the most intense and memorable in sports history. The two players were polar opposites in terms of style and personality, but they shared a fierce competitive spirit.

The two players first met in the 1978 Wimbledon final, which Borg won in four sets. Borg went on to win the next four matches between the two players, but McEnroe finally got his revenge in the 1981 Wimbledon final.

The 1981 Wimbledon final was one of the most famous matches of all time. The two players battled for over four hours, with Borg eventually winning in five sets. The match was a classic example of the contrast between the two players. Borg was cool and composed, while McEnroe was fiery and emotional.

The Last Days of Tennis' Golden Age

The 1980s were a golden age for tennis. The game was dominated by a group of great players, including Borg, McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, and Ivan Lendl. These players were all at the peak of their powers, and they produced some of the most memorable matches in the history of the sport.

The golden age of tennis came to an end in the late 1980s. Borg retired in 1983, and McEnroe's career declined in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Connors and Lendl continued to play at a high level for a few more years, but they were eventually replaced by a new generation of players.

The game of tennis has changed a lot since the golden age. The players are now bigger, stronger, and faster. The rackets are more powerful, and the balls are faster. The game is also more physical, and the players are required to be in top physical condition.

The golden age of tennis may be over, but the game is still one of the most popular sports in the world. The players are still great athletes, and the matches are still exciting to watch.

High Strung: Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, and the Last Days of Tennis's Golden Age

by Stephen Tignor

4.4 out of 5