My husband and I were walking back to our hotel in the sands of a Florida beach last March. We were sitting on a picnic table on the path and to our surprise this friendly couple came up and started a conversation. It was delightful and they were charming. When after about 20 minutes they headed on up the path to the same hotel where we were staying, it finally dawned on us who the handsome blonde man with a firm, friendly handshake was. Yes, it was the Bjorn Borg couple being so conversational. We rather floated up to our room after that and googled his photos on our phone to confirm he was the real deal. It made our vacation very special.
89
For many years my husband, the late Bill Ellis, and I owned Ellis Tennis in Atlanta, GA. and on many occasions we strung Borg's frames. At the Terrace Garden one evening, I found myself playing in a great match against 2 Atlanta pros with Borg as my partner. As you can imagine, Borg was God as far as tennis was concerned! We handily won both sets and as we left the court, Borg said to me, "You have a very nice serve." Those six words were drop-dead thrilling to me and I still get chill bumps when I remember that night! At this writing I am re-opening Ellis Tennis in Jensen Beach, FL where I'll be able to hang the great photos of us playing that unforgettable match! Oh, What a Night! Leo, these Very Best Wishes are for You!! You will do well!!
90
"You don't know anything about tennis!" To Bjorn Borg. Reminiscent of the old joke about the 16-year-old who thought his father was an idiot and at 21 was amazed at how much his father had learned in 5 years.
31
The actual quote is “When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.”
- Mark Twain
126
Lucky Leo! such a perfect balance achieved by his parents - allow the child to pursue his dream, being supportive, and staying out of the way at the same time.
I will be a thrill to see a Borg in a tennis match again. If leo has half the composure and class of his father ... oh, the places to which he could go.
I wish the whole family nothing but smiles ahead.
79
Preclude the entire range of potential family tensions. If Romeo Beckham gets his own tennis court, Leo Bjorn should be offered a football pitch and and a pep talk from Zlatan.
1
A wonderful story.
Thank you.
I remember heydays of Bjorn Borg - he was everywhere. And compared to some of today's nasty players - what a good sportsman.
Good luck to this young man.
I wish you had told us a little about who Mr Billing is.
The reason I ask is he does not appear to be Swedish and why he was picked by such a famous tamily..
30
The only way I know that Jimmy Connors won the five hour USOpen at Forest Hills, against Bjorn Borg, is that Borg never won the USOpen. I wish Leo well, and hope he both feels independent from and appreciative of his father, a supremely gifted and graceful player--and it seems a respectful and sensitive father.
54
Bjorn Borg was my favorite tennis player when I was a teenager. I loved his demeanor on the court. You could turn on the tv in the middle of a match and never know by looking at him if he was winning or losing. And now my favorite player is Rafa (who Leo calls his favorite player) who often has the same demeanor on the court Wishing Leo huge success on the tennis court. And if you haven't seen it yet, check out the excellent documentary "Fire & Ice" which documents the friendship and rivalry of Borg and John McEnroe.
62
I wish Leo well and remember how beautifully Bjorn played the game I love. If the Griffeys of baseball can get it done why not the Borgs of tennis? Go Leo!
32
Although Leo has established himself for some time now as a top prospect of junior tennis, not only in Sweden but around the world as well. There is no doubting that Leo's father, Bjorn, will definitely be disappointed in the inevitable accurance of comparisons of him 30 years ago to his son. Also, the daunting similarities of Leo and Bjorn that were highlighted in this article such as Leo playing his father in a movie and even Leo choosing the same brand for sponsorship,Fila, that his father did as a professional, just goes to show not only the resilience that Leo has right now, but also the confidence he has to take on the challenge of becoming larger than his father's almost engulfing shadow. Although that task will be extremely hard, even currently for many professionals in the top 100, I see no reason why Leo won't use this doubt from many critics and even his family, as motivation to further succeed not only on the tour, but in surpassing Bjorn's shadow. Can't wait to see the impact he'll have on the professional circuit.
21
I wish him the best. It’s difficult for sons of extremely successful fathers. I know a few and it hasn’t gone well.
23
@Maria
Funny just a few days ago I read some quotations from Paul Newman's son, whose life ended in failure. He said "I don't have his blue eyes, I don't have his talent ..." Anyway, the son I knew of was Robin, Bjorn's firstborn (and Federer has a son named Leo); I don't think it's axiomatic that the spawn of superstars will fail. There are examples of many who don't. Robin works for his dad. Leo doesn't have to be the best; Arnold Palmer's grandson might never be the #1 golfer but he is having a good run. Carole King's daughter is a good singer. Barbra Streisand's son is a VERY good singer. Anne Fadiman ... there are many. Consider that Leo might actually do something BETTER, like compete and excel after the age of 30, LOL
10
Have there been any father-son in top 5's in tennis - I didn't think so. Very nice piece though.
See this great NYT piece on the phenomena: https://goo.gl/33AJVR
10
If only McEnroe's kids are interested, we just may have ourselves a battle of juniors. :)
7
@Bobb Connors son and daughter, no; McEnroe's son is an author. I mean come on, are all Oscar winners' kids actors (OK, well, Bridget Fonda and Mamie Gummer and ...I need to stop now)
6
Seeing the Swedish name Borg after so long, I wish this time that Americans could pronounce that surname correctly: 'Boy'
@Bartolo “boy” is not how you pronounce it in Swedish ;-D
37
Borg was a class act, I hope his son does well. Tennis is a great game that could use a new star.
69
Really, Zinedine Zidane? I'm sure he was a great player, but he isn't quite the recognizable figure that Michael Jordan and Joe Montana are (at least to the U.S. readership). How about Messi, or Pele, or Ronaldo as a more recognizable reference?
8
@Dan88 No, no. Zidane! My hero!!
18
This eye-opening article does make me wish for, among other things, the chance to have Bjorn Borg's back on court, playing at his peak. What an unforgettable persona he was (is)... and what a magnificent athlete, on court and off.
46
It might be better for all, and I mean ALL over the world, if young Mr. Borg had used a pseudonym, maybe Clark Kent, in the beginning of his campaign.
Expectations and comparisons are such cheap thrills.
4
@Susan, Really. Hiding his name would draw a lot more attention than not. Leo is so clearly Bjorn's son. You wouldn't even have to know Leo is a tennis player to see it. Instantly recognizable!
18
Oh how I miss the short shorts on athletes. Look at those muscles on Bjorn's legs in the old photo, absolutely beautiful.
All best to his budding prodigy and his reluctantly supportive wife. She is a lucky woman indeed!
51
@MS
Love this comment!
I miss the shorter shorts too!
Borg was always a class act. Best of luck to his son as he pursues his dreams.
27
@MS
My take on it is that they are lucky to have her!!
37
Careful he isn't recruited by the Tennis Evangelicals ... always looking for someone to be Bjorn Again!
104
What a brilliant example Leo's parents are to other parents of aspiring athletes - pretty much stay out of the way and let the child expand his talent with the coach while supporting him from the sidelines.
104
So great that the lad is able the experiences scaled to his comfort zone.
12
I'm looking for someone to cheer and support after Federer's imminent retirement.
This could be the guy, but only if he has a single handed backhand :-)
32
A beautiful story. All the best to son, and father, and mother.
88
@PBB
For many years my husband, the late Bill Ellis, and I owned Ellis Tennis in Atlanta, GA. and on many occasions we strung Borg's frames. At the Terrace Garden one evening, I found myself playing in a great match against 2 Atlanta pros with Borg as my partner. As you can imagine, Borg was God as far as tennis was concerned! We handily won both sets and as we left the court, Borg said to me, "You have a very nice serve." Those six words were drop-dead thrilling to me and I still get chill bumps when I remember that night! At this writing I am re-opening Ellis Tennis in Jensen Beach, FL where I'll be able to hang the great photos of us playing that unforgettable match! Oh, What a Night! Leo, these Very Best Wishes are for You!! You will do well!!
11