Borg-McEnroe-Federer-Nadal

[robin7]

Between losing to the eventual champion Arthur Ashe in 1975 QF and John McEnroe in 1981 final, "Ice Borg" won a record of 41 matches and 5 consecutive Wimbledon titles.

His 6 French Open singles titles (1974, 1975, 1978 to 1981) are all-time record. He is the only player to have won in 3 consecutive years both Wimbledon and the French Open.

Many things about Borg are still an enigma. He retired having just turned 25 after losing the 1981 finals in Wimbledon and US Open to John McEnroe.

Roger Federer, on the other, has won 10 Grand Slam singles titles including 4 consecutive Wimbledon, 3 consecutive US Open and 3 Australian Open. He is the only player to have won in 3 consecutive years both Wimbledon and US Open.

Questions:

1. What actually made Borg retired at the age of 27? If Borg continued playing, how many more Grand Slams could he win?

2. I was just thinking what if Roger Federer is beaten by Rafael Nadal in the coming Wimbledon and US Open Finals. Will Roger Federer follow Bjorn Borg's footstep?

 

[Rhino]

1. What actually made Borg retired at the age of 27? If Borg continued playing, how many more Grand Slams could he win?

He no longer enjoyed tennis. It's impossible to say how many more grandslams he would have won.

2. I was just thinking what if Roger Federer is beaten by Rafael Nadal in the coming Wimbledon and US Open Finals. Will Roger Federer follow Bjorn Borg's footstep?

No.

 

[CyBorg]

Between losing to the eventual champion Arthur Ashe in 1975 QF and John McEnroe in 1981 final, "Ice Borg" won a record of 41 matches and 5 consecutive Wimbledon titles.

His 6 French Open singles titles (1974, 1975, 1978 to 1981) are all-time record. He is the only player to have won in 3 consecutive years both Wimbledon and the French Open.

Many things about Borg are still an enigma. He retired having just turned 25 after losing the 1981 finals in Wimbledon and US Open to John McEnroe.

Roger Federer, on the other, has won 10 Grand Slam singles titles including 4 consecutive Wimbledon, 3 consecutive US Open and 3 Australian Open. He is the only player to have won in 3 consecutive years both Wimbledon and US Open.

Questions:

1. What actually made Borg retired at the age of 27? If Borg continued playing, how many more Grand Slams could he win?

2. I was just thinking what if Roger Federer is beaten by Rafael Nadal in the coming Wimbledon and US Open Finals. Will Roger Federer follow Bjorn Borg's footstep?

Borg would have had two more French Opens in the bag. Lendl hadn't developed yet and Wilander was a kid. Noah gave him some trouble in certain matches but I don't think he would have beaten him in a best-of-five duel.

Not sure about the other majors.

 

[theace21]

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but didn't Borg play a very reduced schedule and they wanted him to play a minimum number of events or he could not play in the grand slams...He didn't want to travel and play - preferred to train and try and peak for the major and selected events.

 

[robin7]

I have a feeling that Nadal is gonna win Wimbledon this time against Federer and US Open as well! Federer will declare retirement next year..haha...

 

[LttlElvis]

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but didn't Borg play a very reduced schedule and they wanted him to play a minimum number of events or he could not play in the grand slams...He didn't want to travel and play - preferred to train and try and peak for the major and selected events.

I believe you are correct. I think i remember he was planning on playing the 1982 French Open but they were actually going to make him play the qualifying rounds due to lack of tourneys. I think he was already fed up with tennis by then and just decided not to return.

 

[theace21]

I believe you are correct. I think i remember he was planning on playing the 1982 French Open but they were actually going to make him play the qualifying rounds due to lack of tourneys. I think he was already fed up with tennis by then and just decided not to return.

That is how I remember it, great job tennis politics chasing out on of the best of all time...

 

[saram]

According to the Bjorg biography on the tennis channel that aired a while back, I recall his wife at the time talking about his decision and when. It was something like the morning after his last slam he entered (cannot remember if it was a win or loss) and at the breakfast table, Bjorg told her he was done with tennis. She said something to the effect of "...that was that and she knew his decision was made..."

 

[edmondsm]

That is how I remember it, great job tennis politics chasing out on of the best of all time...

Well it's a tough compromise. On one hand you want a great athlete to be able to do whatever he needs to do to win, break records, entertain, etc...

On the other hand the ATP is just doing their best to advance the sport and it's pretty hard to get sponsors to jump on board when they don't know if the best players are going to show up to the events.

You can look at it as money and business screwing up the sport or Borg pussing out big time. I think it's both, but more of the latter.