Tennis Icon Bjorn Borg

Bjorn Borg was born in Stockholm, Sweden on June 6, 1956. He is a former World number 1 tennis player who turned pro in 1973, retired in 1984, and attempted a somewhat unsuccessful comeback from 1991 to 1993. Borg won five Grand Slam singles titles at the Wimbledon and six Grand Slam singles titles at the French Open. Throughout his career, he won a total of $3,655,751 and is considered to be one of the top tennis players of all time, appearing regularly at the top of lists generated by top sports magazines.

Borg was a phenom from the beginning of his career. He holds many records, such as being the only player to win the men's singles at Wimbledon and the French Open in the same year three years in a row. Borg is actually bow-legged, yet was still very quick on the courts. His superior upper body strength gave his swing a somewhat odd, rough appearance, but it served him well. His final nemesis on the courts proved to be John McEnroe, to whom he lost both the Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. He retired shortly after the U.S. Open loss, not willing to be labeled the World number 2 tennis player.

Borg's retirement proved to be a rough personal transition, with rumors of drugs, suicide, a failed marriage and subsequent divorce. In later years, he was able put his life back together and he created a fashion line that is extremely popular in Sweden. He uses his name as the label. Borg has received many honors and was chosen Sportsperson of the Century in Sweden.