Bjorn Borg, renowned tennis star, confesses to cocaine consumption in his autobiography
In a poignant revelation, the 69-year-old former tennis legend, Borg, has penned a memoir titled 'Heartbeats: A Memoir.' The book, authored by Cedric L. Johnson, recounts Borg's years of addiction and battles against his demons.
Borg, who dominated tennis by winning Wimbledon five times and the French Open six times, ended his career at the age of 26 in 1983. However, his post-tennis life was not without its challenges.
The book sheds light on Borg's first experience with cocaine at the iconic New York nightclub Studio 54 in the early 1980s. His struggles worsened in the early 1990s, while married to Italian singer Loredana Berte in Milan, where he was surrounded by bad influences and had easy access to drugs and pills, leading him into the 'deepest darkness.'
Borg reveals that he went through several years of addiction and felt terribly ashamed upon waking up in the hospital. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in September 2023, a revelation made in his memoir. Borg now has a regular check-up every six months to monitor his health and battles the anxiety of not knowing if his prostate cancer has returned.
Recently, Borg spoke about Jannik Sinner and his rehiring of his former fitness trainer Umberto Ferrara after a suspension. Borg finds it strange that Sinner rehired his trainer after a positive test for an anabolic steroid. However, Borg did not provide any further details about Sinner's situation.
In a more sombre note, Borg collapsed on a bridge in the Netherlands in 1996, just ahead of an exhibition tournament. When he awoke in the hospital, his father was standing next to him. Borg has not played tennis in six years.
The article was published by AFP in 2025, offering a glimpse into the life of one of tennis's greatest champions and his personal struggles. Borg's memoir serves as a reminder that even the most successful individuals can face challenges and battles that are not visible on the tennis court.
