Borg: Mcenroe's Best Man? An Unlikely Friendship

Björn Borg and John McEnroe were two of the most charismatic tennis players ever. Their rivalry on the court was legendary, with the two players meeting 14 times on the regular tour and 22 times in total between November 1978 and April 1981. Despite their rivalry, Borg and McEnroe became close friends after retiring from tennis, and Borg was even McEnroe's best man at his wedding.

McEnroe was best man at Borg's wedding

Björn Borg and John McEnroe were tennis rivals who met 14 times on the regular tour and 22 times in total between November 1978 and April 1981. Their head-to-head was even at 7-7. Their rivalry was described as "Fire and Ice" due to their contrasting temperaments and playing styles. McEnroe was known for his court-side tantrums, while Borg was known for his cool and emotionless demeanor on the court. Despite their rivalry, Borg and McEnroe grew a more friendly relationship after their retirements.

John McEnroe was the best man at Björn Borg's wedding. The two tennis stars had a famous rivalry, but their relationship was rooted in friendship. McEnroe has described Borg as the only guy who respected him out of all the people in tennis history, and the two men's families are close. They have a mutual respect and love for each other.

In 1980, McEnroe reached the singles final at Wimbledon for the first time, where he faced Borg, who was aiming for an Open Era record fifth consecutive Wimbledon title. McEnroe saved five match points in a fourth-set tiebreaker that lasted 20 minutes and eventually won 18-16. However, he was unable to break Borg's serve in the fifth set, and Borg went on to win 8-6. This match is widely considered one of the best tennis matches ever played.

In 1981, McEnroe returned to Wimbledon and again faced Borg in the singles final. This time, McEnroe defeated Borg, ending the Swede's run of 41 straight match victories at the All England Club. McEnroe was again victorious at the US Open that same season, and Borg retired shortly afterward. Their final confrontation came in 1983 in Tokyo at the Suntory Cup, with Borg prevailing in three sets.

In addition to being rivals and friends, Borg and McEnroe also shared a mutual respect for each other's talent and achievements in tennis. McEnroe has acknowledged that Borg was a huge part of his career, and the two men have teamed up for projects even after their retirements. In 2011, for example, they launched an underwear collection for the Björn Borg clothing brand.

Borg and McEnroe's contrasting styles and personalities

Björn Borg and John McEnroe were two of the most charismatic tennis players ever. Their rivalry is considered one of the greatest in tennis history. Between November 1978 and April 1981, the two tennis giants met 14 times on the regular tour and 22 times in total. Their head-to-head was even at 7-7. Their rivalry was highlighted by their contrasting temperaments and playing styles, which were described as "Fire and Ice".

Borg, the Swede, was known for his cool and emotionless demeanor on the court, earning him the nickname "Ice Borg" or "Ice Man". He was a powerful and rigorously disciplined player with a powerful two-handed backhand. He was able to stay focused and composed during high-pressure situations.

McEnroe, the American, was known for his fiery temper and on-court outbursts, earning him the nickname "Super Brat". He was known for his exceptional serve-and-volley game, his accurate and powerful left-handed serve, and his ability to come up with clutch shots during important matches. McEnroe was also known for his frequent outbursts on the court, which often led to clashes with umpires and opponents.

Their rivalry culminated in the 1980 Wimbledon final, which is widely considered one of the best tennis matches ever played. McEnroe faced Borg, who was aiming for a record fifth consecutive Wimbledon title. McEnroe saved five match points in a fourth-set tiebreaker that lasted 20 minutes and eventually won 18-16. However, he was unable to break Borg's serve in the fifth set, and Borg went on to win 8-6.

The contrast between Borg's cool and collected demeanor and McEnroe's fiery personality extended beyond the tennis court as well. Borg was known for his quiet and reserved personality, while McEnroe was more outspoken and rebellious. Despite their differences, the two players developed a mutual respect for each other and became close friends after their retirements.

Borg and McEnroe's post-retirement relationship

Björn Borg and John McEnroe's rivalry on the tennis court is well-documented, but the two tennis legends grew a more friendly relationship after their retirements.

In his 2011 book, "You Cannot Be Serious", McEnroe gave his opinion on Borg's shock retirement from tennis at the age of 26, speculating that the Swede was on the brink of being overwhelmed as his life was too regimented. McEnroe also likened Borg to Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, claiming that he had two sides to his personality.

Despite their rivalry, the two men respected each other, and after their retirements, they became close friends. In an interview with Tennis Channel, Borg said:

> "We were both fighting for the number one in the world in tennis, but we respected each other. John respected me and I was probably the only guy who respected him out of all the people in tennis history. So we have got a good feeling from each other, but after the tennis we really became very good and close friends, with the families, we call and see each other."

In 2006, McEnroe called Borg from New York to persuade him not to auction off his Wimbledon trophies and two of his winning rackets at Bonhams Auction House in London. McEnroe's intervention, along with pleas from Jimmy Connors and Andre Agassi, convinced Borg to buy the trophies back from Bonhams.

In 2011, the pair teamed up to launch an underwear collection for the Björn Borg clothing brand.

Borg's rare outburst during their 1981 match

Björn Borg and John McEnroe's rivalry on the tennis court was legendary, with the two players meeting 14 times on the regular tour and 22 times in total between 1978 and 1981. Their head-to-head was even, with seven wins each. Their rivalry was described as "Fire and Ice", with Borg known for his cool and emotionless demeanour on the court, while McEnroe was famed for his court-side tantrums.

On January 15, 1981, Borg lost his cool during a match against McEnroe at the Volvo Masters tournament in Madison Square Garden. This was the only time in his career that Borg received warnings and penalty points for complaining about an umpire's decisions. The usually calm Swede argued for a solid five minutes with umpire Mike Lugg, who had overruled a linesman's call of a Borg forehand. Borg ended up losing the set but won the match and progressed to the semi-finals of the Masters. Both players snubbed the umpire by not acknowledging him when they left the court.

In his post-match interview, Borg said:

> "I was very upset. I think the match had everything. From bad calls to great points."

Borg's rare outburst shocked the tennis world as it was usually McEnroe who lost his temper. McEnroe himself was stunned by his opponent's behaviour, saying:

> "I couldn't believe it happened... I almost didn't want to take the points... I was totally shocked."

The American added that he thought Borg might storm off the court and default the match. McEnroe was known for his aggressive on-court presence and spiky New York attitude, which contrasted sharply with Borg's composure.

The two players' rivalry continued throughout 1981, with McEnroe defeating Borg at Wimbledon and the US Open, ending the Swede's run of 41 straight match victories at the All England Club. Borg retired shortly afterwards, having never won the US Open despite reaching four finals.

Borg and McEnroe's respective upbringings

Björn Borg was born in Sweden, and is known for his cool and emotionless demeanor on the tennis court. In contrast, John McEnroe, born in Germany to American parents, was famed for his on-court tantrums. McEnroe began playing tennis at the Douglaston Club when he was eight years old. At nine, his parents enrolled him in the Eastern Lawn Tennis Association, and he soon began competing in regional and national junior tournaments. By the age of twelve, he was ranked seventh in his age group and joined the Port Washington Tennis Academy on Long Island, New York. McEnroe attended Trinity School in Manhattan, graduating in 1977.

Borg and McEnroe had a famous rivalry on the tennis court, facing each other 14 times on the regular tour and 22 times in total between November 1978 and April 1981. Their rivalry was described as "Fire and Ice" due to their contrasting temperaments and playing styles. Despite their on-court rivalry, Borg and McEnroe grew a more friendly relationship after their retirements.

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