“Borg’s Grand Slam Farewell: McEnroe Seals Victory at U.S. Open ’81”
Björn Borg’s short biography in the 1974 World of Tennis annual mentioned that the Swede had never lost against a younger player. That should come as no surprise. He didn’t play against many younger players because he didn’t turn 17 until June 1973. Furthermore, he didn’t have a losing streak against anyone. The adult game did, however, have a learning curve. In addition to winning the Wimbledon boys’ title in 1972, Borg also won the Orange Bowl junior event in 1971 and 1972. At the age of fifteen, he made his Davis Cup debut, defeating the seasoned Onny Parun of New Zealand. During his tour, he lacked consistency; after making it to the Monte Carlo final one week, he lost a first-round match in straight sets the following. He contributed his fair part.
It was the 1973 French Open that marked his public debut. Starting the tournament off, Borg defeated American Cliff Richey, ranked ninth, 6-2, 6-3. He defeated seasoned Frenchman Pierre Barthes 3-6, 6-1, 8-6 in the second round. “I didn’t think I would win today at all,” the young man declared. “He ought to have defeated me.” There was already a fan club for Borg when he stepped onto the court for his May 29th third-round matchup against Dick Stockton. Many young women were drawn to him because of his “long, fair hair flopping round his neck,” and the rest were drawn in by his acrobatics. The first best-of-five-set round was a fierce contest that the Parisian supporters were treated to. Though Stockton was more consistent, Borg managed to steal the major points.
The 16-year-old won four sets to advance—6-7, 7-5, 6-2, and 7-6. In the decisive tiebreak, Stockton had four set points. To keep the second one alive, Borg had to run down a smash. At 10-9, he created another moment of wonder for the spectators as he secured his own match point with a brilliant lob. The Swede’s future was the brightest of any young talent. The flamboyant Italian, Adriano Panatta, was waiting for him in the fourth round and had already defeated him twice in 1973. In that match, Borg would be the underdog, but he had the long view in mind. It’s all up to me now, he declared. “I believe I can finish it.”
Virginia Wade did not have a very fulfilling day. The third seed had advanced to the quarterfinals the previous year, despite her lack of reputation on clay courts. She could have done it again for any reason. Nevertheless, she was defeated by the obscure Frenchwoman Odile de Roubin, 1-6, 6-2, 6-3. Wade remarked, “I hate playing bad players, and she was so bad.” “I played so stupidly, and the stadium was empty and there was no atmosphere.” Nobody was ready to contest the argument. * * *
