Bjorn Borg reveals aggressive prostate cancer diagnosis, vows to fight day by day

Bjorn Borg, the Swedish tennis icon who dominated Wimbledon in the late 1970s, disclosed in the final chapter of his memoir that he has been diagnosed with an extremely aggressive prostate cancer that is at its most advanced stage. The 69-year-old said he would fight every day like it’s a Wimbledon final, adding that he plans to live life “day by day, year by year.”

Speaking with BBC Breakfast, Borg described the diagnosis as psychologically difficult and said the doctor described the cancer as “really, really bad.” He said he undergoes testing every six months and that his last check was two weeks ago, emphasizing that it is “a thing I have to live with.” Borg is in remission following a 2024 operation, he said.

Borg’s career is a central part of his public life as well as his health story. He won 66 singles titles, spent 109 weeks as world number one, and claimed a record 41 consecutive wins at Wimbledon. He captured five Wimbledon titles from 1976 to 1980, and his 1980 final against John McEnroe—when McEnroe saved seven championship points in a near four-hour match—is often described as one of the greatest matches in the sport’s history. “That final was the most satisfying match I ever played. It had everything,” Borg said of that contest.

The rivalries that defined his era—most notably with McEnroe and Jimmy Connors—were built on mutual respect. Borg once reflected that their drive to be the best in the world meant they could not be close friends, but he added that he and McEnroe had since become good friends and often share dinners and conversation about today’s tennis. “We respected each other a lot, all three of us,” he said, noting that their early competition shaped a generation of players.

Borg’s retirement from professional tennis at age 25 shocked fans and the sport. He has attributed his departure to losing interest and motivation, saying, “I had enough. I lost the interest and the motivation.” The decision preceded a post-playing life that included difficult personal episodes. He has spoken openly about the challenges that followed retirement, including struggles with substance use, and he described a period when he was hospitalized in Milan in 1989 after an overdose. He later said he “fixed [his] life” and that he is “very happy with myself” today, a sentiment he has carried into his later years.

In Heartbeats: A Memoir, co-written with his wife Patricia, Borg writes candidly about the years after his playing days. He describes a period of turmoil, the lure of substances as an escape from reality, and the path to recovery that eventually led him to a more stable life. The health disclosures come as Borg reflects on the arc of a life defined by peak athletic performance and later resilience through personal rehabilitation. As he confronts cancer, he continues to emphasize daily endurance and a long-standing philosophy of facing life with composure and grit.

As Borg navigates this latest chapter, his public comments emphasize endurance and the power of routines—medical checkups every six months, ongoing treatment decisions, and the mental preparation required to face a serious illness. He has inspired admiration for his ability to merge a storied athletic legacy with a candid approach to health challenges, illustrating how top athletes often carry their legacies beyond their prime competitive years. The coming months will determine how his health trajectory unfolds, but Borg has already made clear that his mindset remains resolute: day by day, year by year.