Björn Borg (born 6 June 1956) is a former world No. 1 tennis player from Sweden and is widely considered to be one of the greatest in tennis history.

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Borg was born in Stockholm, Sweden, on 6 June 1956, as the only child of Rune and Margaretha Borg. He grew up in nearby Södertälje. As a child, Borg became fascinated with a golden tennis racket that his father won at a table-tennis tournament. His father gave him the racket, beginning his tennis career.

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A player of great athleticism and endurance, he had a distinctive style and appearance - bowlegged and very fast. His muscularity allowed him to put heavy topspin on both his forehand and two handed backhand. He followed Jimmy Connors in using the two handed backhand. By the time he was 13 he was beating the best of Sweden's under 18 players, and Davis Cup captain Lennart Bergelin (who served as Borg's primary coach throughout his professional career) cautioned against anyone trying to change Borg's rough-looking, jerky strokes.

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Between 1974 and 1981 he became the first male professional to win 11 Grand Slam singles titles - six at the French Open and five consecutive at Wimbledon. He also won three year-end championships and 15 Grand Prix Super Series titles.

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Borg set numerous Open Era records that still stand, including winning 41% of the Grand Slam singles tournaments he entered and 90% of those matches, winning both the French Open and Wimbledon for three consecutive years, and winning three Grand Slams without losing a set. Also, his total career match win rate of 82.7% remains the second best of the era.

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A teenage sensation at the start of his career, Borg's unprecedented stardom and consistent success helped propel the rising popularity of tennis during the 1970s. As a result, the professional tour became more lucrative, and in 1979 he was the first player to earn more than one million dollars in prize money in a single season.

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He also made millions in endorsements throughout his career. The downside, however, was the constant attention and pressure eventually caused burnout and his retirement at the age of 26.

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On retirement, Borg had three residences, a penthouse in Monte Carlo, not far from his pro shop, a mansion on Long Island, New York and a small island off the Swedish coast. Borg later bounced back as the owner of the Björn Borg fashion label. In Sweden his label has become very successful, second only to Calvin Klein.

Bjorn Borg in the final of the 1979 ABN Tennis

Tournament in Rotterdam.

Borg playing in Houston, Texas during the early 1990s.

Björn Borg Interview

Borg v Nastase • Wimbledon 1976

Borg v Gerelitus • Wimbledon