Bjorn Borg Q&A

Borg has returned to tennis on the ATP Champions Tour in recent years

Five-time Wimbledon champion Bjorn Borg renewed his rivalry with John McEnroe on the ATP Champions Tour last week, beating the American for the first time in nine-and-a-half years in Chengdu, China.

Borg became a tennis legend with his unbeaten run at Wimbledon between 1976 and 1980, eventually losing his title to McEnroe in 1981.

He also won the French Open six times between 1974 and 1981, taking his Grand Slam tally to 11 before retiring aged just 26 in 1982.

Last week's 6-4 6-4 victory over McEnroe was not enough to take the Swede through to the final in Chengdu, but the 53-year-old did take time out to answer questions from 606 users.

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Q: Now that racquets are considerably lighter than at your peak, do you find yourself attempting strokes that weren't in your make-up previously?
HOTMELT

A: "I grew up with a wooden racquet and it was part of my body, part of my arm. Now I'm used to the current racquets, but it's different. You get more power with these racquets, but there was more touch with the wooden racquet."

Q: During your reign as Wimbledon Champion you did play some matches on the outside courts. What was that experience like being much closer to the fans compared to Centre and Number One?
IanMcCormack

A: "It's different. To play on the Centre Court and Number One Court, the people are not as close to you. On the outside courts they were very close to you, but it never mattered to me - I was always really focused, no matter what the court was. I was lucky to play on the Centre Court many, many times and it was always special."

Q: As you have played against some of the greats in tennis, such as Arthur Ashe and Rod Laver, and then throughout the 80s with the greats there, who in your opinion is the best player you have played against and why?
knowledge_is_good

Borg was undefeated at Wimbledon from 1976 to 1980

A: "The greatest rivalries I ever had were with Jimmy (Connors) and John (McEnroe). We always brought out the best in each other and there was something special happening when we played each other. Most of the time when we played, people got to see great tennis."

Q: What was your biggest professional disappointment - not winning a US Open?
duggietoo

A: "Yes, probably not winning the US Open. That's the one that was missing for me. I probably could and should have won four of the five finals that I played, but I have no regrets sitting here right now.

"I prepared for those finals professionally and did the best that I could. I have no regrets and never say 'why didn't I do this or that?' but it would certainly have been nice to have won it."

Q: How far in the game can Robin Soderling go?
Bourne

A: "He has always been able to play great tennis, but he 'found' himself on the court this year. He was more focused, concentrated and thinking about every point. He took a big step in the rankings and he has the game and capacity to be inside the world's top five.

"It's great for Swedish tennis and I'm looking forward to following him. I think one day he will win a Grand Slam tournament."

Q: Who is your favourite player at the moment and why?
Noleisthebest

A: "Roger Federer is certainly the best of them, but I don't have one favourite. He is the greatest player I've ever seen, but with Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray as well this is a great time for tennis.

"I've seen every single match that Nadal and Federer have played against each other. They bring out the best in each other, but it's great that there are others there as well to push them."

Q: Do you think Andre Agassi was right to reveal his use of crystal meth and his subsequent lie to the ATP?
Jubbahey

Borg joined Sampras and Laver to see Federer's sixth Wimbledon victory

A: "It's a different generation - you should ask the players that played with him. I was very surprised reading it in the media, but I don't know what his thinking is behind it. I don't know Andre very well, so it is probably better to ask people that know him."

Editor's Question: Should Agassi get a retrospective penalty?

A: "I'm not involved in the situation and I don't know really the facts, so it's very hard for me to comment at all."

Q: Bjorn, you had nearly 10 years in the spotlight with adoration of millions of fans. Was it difficult to adjust to a more mundane life?
KoolBreeze

A: "It was nice in a way. When we were travelling on the circuit it was very difficult to have a private life and to be on our own, so in a way it was a nice thing. I just didn't have any motivation left at the time, that's why I retired. But I'm so happy now that I am back in tennis, because I love the game and it's great to still be involved."

Q: Was there one match in particular that you felt was your perfect match, where you felt you really couldn't have played any better?
john_vanderrest

A: "That's very difficult to say, but the match that I think everyone remembers is the 1980 Wimbledon final with John (McEnroe). That match had everything. To have a match like that in a Grand Slam final is very unusual. We had that with the Nadal versus Federer match in 2008, and also this year in 2009 with Federer and Roddick."

Q: Did you call/text/thank Rafa for preventing Roger from beating your five-in-a-row Wimbledon record?
Tenez

A: "No, I didn't do that! I was happy for Roger when he equalled my record - I was there to see it. And records are there to be broken, and I was there the year after also. If Federer had beaten the record it would have been great."

Q: You are the reason I have enjoyed 30 years of playing tennis. My one regret is that you retired too early at 26 and deprived me of watching you and McEnroe going head to head. Any regrets?
Yargirick

A: "No, no regrets. I knew that I could have had another five more years at the top. I retired very young, but I did a lot in that time, won a lot of big tournaments and did a lot for tennis, so I have no regrets."

Q: Bjorn, watching your tennis was like magic - thank you for all those wonderful matches and many hours of special tennis. Which one of your slams was most special and why?
centre-court-crazy

A: "I think for all players the first one is the most special - mine was the French Open. But I also had a dream to win Wimbledon - even just to play in the main draw there. In 1976, the first time I was in the final to play Ilie Nastase, was a huge thing."

Q: Did the emotion come out in the locker room after you lost a match you should have won?
Fed4Ever

A: "Yes, but in the hotel, with my coach afterwards. Behind closed doors!"

Q: You were such an iconic and central figure of the golden era full of such great personalities, do you think that maybe players these days have to take things much more seriously and that perhaps this gets in the way?
the ball was in!

A: "I don't think the game misses personalities at all. I think there are a lot of personalities, different styles, tough competition and great tennis today.

"In tennis today there is also so much money at stake, so I can understand them taking it seriously. But still, when you see how they play, it's really entertaining."

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The ATP Champions Tour culminates in London with the AEGON Masters at the Royal Albert Hall (1-6 December)