Tennis fans around the world were taken by surprise when legendary Swedish player Bjorn Borg revealed in his upcoming autobiography that he’s been quietly battling cancer.
The book, titled Heartbeat, is set for an official release on September 18, but Italian Amazon readers have already gotten an early peek. Co-written with his wife, Patricia, the memoir had been shrouded in secrecy—until now.
A Limited Press Run on the Horizon
At 69, Borg is expected to take part in what he’s calling an “extremely sparing” press tour, where he may share more about his fight with the illness.
While the type of cancer he faced hasn’t been disclosed, the revelation has already sparked a wave of support from fans and fellow athletes alike.
The memoir will be released across multiple countries, including the USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Latin America, the Netherlands, Italy, and of course, Sweden.
A Decade That Shaped Tennis History
Despite retiring at just 26, Borg’s impact on tennis is monumental.
His career, which lasted only ten years, saw him rise to become one of the sport’s all-time greats.
Known as the “rock star” of tennis, Borg became the youngest major champion in history when he won the French Open in 1974 at just 18.
That victory was the first of six French Open titles, including an impressive streak of four consecutive wins from 1978 to 1981.
Wimbledon Glory and Legendary Rivalries
Borg’s Wimbledon debut two years after his French Open triumph quickly cemented his status as a superstar.
In his first final, he defeated Ilie Nastase 6-4, 6-2, 9-7. Nastase famously remarked afterward, “We’re playing tennis, and he’s playing something else.”
Borg would go on to claim four more consecutive Wimbledon titles, with his last final against a young John McEnroe.
McEnroe later reflected, “There’s magic when our names are mentioned together… it’s a match I will remember for the rest of my life.”
The End of an Era
Borg’s pursuit of a sixth consecutive Wimbledon title ended with a loss to McEnroe, marking the final high point of his professional career.
He retired a year later at just 26, leaving behind a decade of thrilling tennis and unforgettable moments.
Today, Borg ranks sixth among all-time Grand Slam winners, trailing only Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Pete Sampras, and Roy Emerson.