Tennis icon Bjorn Borg opens up about his past struggles with cocaine and abandoning his tennis career prematurely in his memoir and interview with Associated Press.
Swedish tennis legend Björn Borg is set to release his memoir, "Heartbeats," on September 23, promising to reveal surprising aspects of his life. The book will be published by Diversion Books and is expected to provide an intimate look into the life of the Ice-Borg, a nickname he earned for his unflappable demeanour on the court.
Borg's calmness on the court was not a trait that came "organically." In his book, he discusses the efforts he made to maintain his composure, even in the face of intense pressure. However, this composure began to waver after a series of losses, most notably the 1981 US Open final and the Wimbledon final, both of which he lost to John McEnroe.
After these defeats, Borg found himself in a pool at a house on Long Island, where friends had planned a victory party for him. Instead, he sat there, contemplating his future in tennis. It was then that he realised he no longer cared when he lost, and he decided to retire from the sport at the young age of 25.
Borg's memoir also delves into his personal life, including his love life, various adventures, and regrets. He discusses water-skiing injuries, death threats, getting robbed at gunpoint, and paternity claims. He also mentions a panic attack and his battle with an "extremely aggressive" prostate cancer.
Borg's book is not without controversy. He was hospitalized due to an overdose in Holland and in Italy, incidents he clarifies were accidental, not suicide attempts. He also names several prominent personalities in his memoir, including Yasser Arafat, Andy Warhol, Donald Trump, Nelson Mandela, Tina Turner, and Hugh Hefner.
Despite the controversies, Borg expresses relief at publishing his memoir. He states that it feels good to have no secrets anymore and that he is happy to share his story with the world. "Heartbeats" is a must-read for tennis fans and anyone interested in the life of one of the greatest tennis players of all time.
