Bjorn Borg turns down coaching gig with Stefanos Tsitsipas after Greek star parts ways with father

Although Stefanos Tsitsipas nominated Bjorn Borg as a candidate to replace his father as his next coach, the retired Swedish star was quick to reject the offer.

Tsitsipas recently ended his coaching relationship with his father, Apostolos, after the duo had worked together for the entirety of the Greek star's career. With the World No.12 in the market for a new coach, it comes as no surprise that several high profile names have been mentioned.

The 11-time Grand Slam champion is currently in Berlin for the 2024 Laver Cup, where he plays the role of captain for a star-studded Team World. Borg has been involved in the event in a captaincy position for the last seven years, but will be stepping down alongside Team World captain John McEnroe at the conclusion of this year's edition.

Tsitsipas has been a fixture over the last few years at the Laver Cup, and is once again representing Team Europe at this year's event. The two-time Grand Slam runner-up was asked who he would like to coach him if given the option, and he was quick to name Borg as his ideal mentor.

“Right now? Bjorn,” he jokingly replied after beating Team World’s Thanasi Kokkinakis.

However, Borg was quick to refuse the offer, stating he would like to focus on his Team Europe squad at the moment.

"No, but I think we have a good team spirit,” Borg said. “For me personally, I'm very old, but to spend time with these guys, and I have been doing that for many years, and I respect and I like the way they are as persons, not only tennis, but personality is very important. That's why for him to be, my loss, yeah, to be this week together with me, it's fantastic.”

Tsitsipas appeared moved by the 68-year old's words, and expressed his gratitude soon after.

"Thank you, Bjorn. The aura, it's all about the aura," explained Tsitsipas. "Why I choose Bjorn, it's not because he's sitting right next to me here. I feel like the aura makes a big difference. Sometimes it's not what they tell you and how they tell you. It's that intimacy that you feel of someone sitting next to you and communicating things to you in a spiritual way."