"I chose another life instead of keeping the one I already had, and that is what I regret": Bjorn Borg regrets 'abandoning tennis'

The 11-time Grand Slam champion Bjorn Borg is in the middle of launching "Heartbeats", his official autobiography, in which he addresses his premature farewell to tennis – retiring with 66 titles at the age of 25 and with a record that places him among the best in history. The Swede is remembered as 'the first tennis superstar', and his legacy continues to this day among the best players in history, despite his early retirement.

The Swede's numbers are impressive, even more so considering his career spanned only 9 years. He played 27 Grand Slam main draws and won the title in 11 of them (40.7%), in addition to reaching a total of 16 finals. He achieved a 141-17 record in major tournaments and reached 11 titles by the age of just 24.

Despite his iconic status, Borg admitted in an interview with Marca that stepping away from tennis at a young age remains one of the most difficult decisions of his life. He explained that his motivation had faded, even if his competitive level remained extraordinary. “I wasn’t even 26, but I had lost the motivation. I don’t regret retiring because mentally I wasn’t perfect anymore. What I regret is abandoning tennis.”

He described the emotional consequences of leaving the locker-room community that had shaped him. “It was a stupid decision because I had many friends,” the former World No. 1 mentioned. “Many times I asked myself why I did it. I chose another life instead of keeping the one I already had, and that is what I regret.”

The Swede served as captain of Team Europe for eight years at the Laver Cup, leading the great European stars: Federer, Djokovic, Nadal, Murray, Thiem, and Alcaraz have all been part of the players who had Borg as captain. His last participation was in 2024, being replaced this season by Frenchman Yannick Noah.

Borg revealed the severity of the health scare he faced shortly before the 2023 Laver Cup in Vancouver. “My doctor forbade me to go because the tests were bad. I had a responsibility and I went to Canada,” he commented. “When I got back to Stockholm, I went straight to the hospital. I was so ill that I had no choice but to undergo surgery in February the following year. I’m fine now, but I have to undergo check-ups because cancer cells can always return.”

Reflecting on his eight years as captain, Borg did not hide how meaningful the experience was to him. “I spent eight years in the chair and it was always the best week of the year for me.” The role allowed him to reconnect with the sport in a modern environment while bonding with the world’s best players. “Having the chance to spend time with the best players, hearing what they like and don’t like. They wanted to hear stories from my life.”

Borg offered candid views on hypothetical matchups between himself – the former king at Roland Garros and Wimbledon – against those who took center stage in recent decades. On clay, he was unequivocal about Rafael Nadal’s supremacy. “If I play my best tennis and he plays his best, Nadal wins.” He explained that comparing eras is misleading due to major differences in technology, physical preparation, and court conditions. “What Nadal did at Roland Garros is something unique and will never be seen again in sport.”

He gave the same response when asked about facing Roger Federer on Wimbledon’s grass, acknowledging the Swiss star’s explosive game. “It’s the same answer. Roger would hit the ball harder.”

On the eternal question of the “greatest of all time,” Borg’s ranking was delivered without hesitation. “First Djokovic, and then Nadal and Federer, tied.” This reflects his appreciation for consistency and longevity, particularly Djokovic’s sustained success across all surfaces. Borg has long valued versatility, and his assessment aligns with statistical analyses that place Djokovic at the top based on Slams, finals reached, and dominance across eras.

Borg expressed enormous enthusiasm for the rivalry emerging between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, believing it arrived at the perfect moment for tennis. “It’s the best thing that could have happened to tennis,” the 11-time major champion stated. “I don’t miss any of their matches against each other.”

Having met Alcaraz personally at the Laver Cup in Berlin, Borg shared a heartfelt impression of the Spaniard. “He is an incredible player and an incredible person. You feel comfortable next to him.” For a legend known for his reserved nature to praise someone’s character so openly is significant. “Everyone loves him,” he stated. “I was surprised what a good guy he is. The way he plays... For me, he is the fastest mover on a court. I was impressed with his personality and I wish him the best.”

The Swede also highlighted the physical and tactical dynamism that sets Alcaraz apart. “The way he plays… for me he is the fastest mover on a court.” Yet when comparing stylistic preferences, he acknowledged Sinner’s more aggressive baseline firepower. “I think Jannik is more aggressive, but if I have to choose, I say Carlos because of how he feels the ball.”