Borg backs Johansson

Johansson celebrates with his Swedish fans

Bjorn Borg is tipping fellow Swede Thomas Johansson to dominate tennis for years to come following his Australian Open triumph.

The tennis great - who never won the Australian despite claiming 11 Grand Slam titles in his career - insisted that Johansson's success would not be a flash in the pan.

A 60-1 shot at the start of the tournament, Johansson beat Russian Marat Safin 3-6 6-4 6-4 7-6 in the men's singles final on Sunday.

"I'm wondering if the Swedish people really understand what an accomplishment Thomas Johansson has pulled off," Borg told the Expressen newspaper.

"Johansson is not a star that shines during two weeks in Melbourne and is then extinguished. He has come to the top to stay. He will be a favourite at Wimbledon."

Johansson had won a modest six tournaments before his breakthrough on Sunday propelled him up to the number one spot in the ATP Champions Race.

His father Krister Johansson told Expressen he and his wife had both cried when their son won in Melbourne.

Borg won 11 Grand Slams but never took the Australian

"It takes a lot for my wife to cry, but when he won she cried right out. I've never heard that before, and we've been married since 1973."

Fellow Swedish player Jonas Bjorkman, who was beaten by Johansson in the quarter-finals at Melbourne, said: "This is phenomenally big for Swedish tennis."

Stefan Edberg, Sweden's last Grand Slam singles winner before Johansson when he took the1992 US Open, said: "Hopefully we won't have to wait another 10 years before the next Grand Slam win.

"Johansson is in a good position to win another one and I think his win could inspire (Thomas) Enqvist and all other Swedish players."

Bjorkman paid tribute to the Swedish supporters in Melbourne who helped Johansson during the tournament.

But he expects there to be fewer Swedes at Birmingham next month when he teams up with Johansson for the Davis Cup tie against Britain.

"We'll have to call (England football coach) Sven-Goran Eriksson to get a Swede in the crowd," he said.