Swedish tennis legend Björn Borg just announced that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. To this end, he is committed to tackling this crisis with all the grit and determination that he showed on the basketball court. In his recently published autobiography, “Heartbeats: A Memoir,” co-written with his wife Patricia, Borg opens up about his fight against cancer, stating, “Now, I have a new opponent in cancer – one I can’t control.”
Borg revolutionized professional tennis in the late 1970s/early 1980s. He took five consecutive Wimbledon titles from 1976 to 1980 and six French Open titles. His legacy features an unprecedented 109 weeks at the world number one ranking. His storied career was cut short when he unexpectedly retired at the age of 26. Even though he made a short return to glory in 1991, he couldn’t quite get back on top of the circuit the same way he had once commanded respect.
In 2023, a doctors’ exam revealed that the cancer cells had spread throughout Borg’s body. He explained the shock of the diagnosis, saying, “The thing is that you don’t feel anything – you feel good, and then it’s just happened.” After recovering from surgery this past spring, Borg is now in remission, but knows that staying healthy will be a lifelong pursuit. He has follow-up cancer tests every six months to check on the steady–but not malignant–growth in his head.
Borg compares his experience with cancer to playing in a championship game. “I’m going to beat it. I’m not giving up. I fight like every day is a Wimbledon final. Those usually go pretty well, don’t they?” he stated with characteristic determination.
Borg’s experience, as he reflects on his unusual journey, is a reminder to each of us to take life one day at a time. “I hope that I’m going to be OK. I take it day by day, year by year, hopefully,” he shared. This attitude is typical for his toughness and combativeness, aspects of his character for which baseball fans have always loved him from his debut until today.
His rivalry with John McEnroe defined a generation. Their 1980 Wimbledon final is considered one of the best matches in tennis history. Borg came through that five-set marathon, an example of his fierce competitive spirit. Today, he brings that same go-getter spirit to his health fight.
Although the storm clouds of this difficult stage of life hang overhead, Borg is determined, with God’s help, to meet every new dawn armed with bravery. She said you have these sleeping cancer cells, it’s going to be a fight in the future. Every six months I go and kind of test myself,” he explained about the ongoing battle he faces.
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