"Chris Evert is a very good friend, we were two big stars" - Bjorn Borg 'proud' of himself & American legend for 'lifting tennis to a different level'
Bjorn Borg has opened up about his close friendship with fellow tennis legend Chris Evert, taking pride in how they both lifted the sport to new heights. While the Swede conceded that the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Venus and Serena Williams advanced the sport further, he credited himself and Evert as the original trailblazers.
Evert and Borg marked the beginning of professional success together, both clinching their maiden Grand Slam titles at the 1974 French Open. The American went on to win 18 Major titles, including a record seven Roland Garros titles.
Borg, meanwhile, won 11 Grand Slam titles, six of which came at the claycourt Major. Apart from their on-court achievements, the duo also created a lasting impact by drawing more people to the sport through their widespread popularity.
In a recent interview with The Athletic, Bjorn Borg discussed his enduring friendship with Chris Evert, emphasizing their role as pioneers who elevated tennis to a "different level."
"Chris is a very good friend. We started something together. We were two big stars. We lifted tennis to a different level. I’m very happy and proud to have done that. Then the ones that came after us lifted it more. Federer, Nadal, Novak, the Williams sisters. But we were there at the beginning," Borg said.
Borg also reflected on how the sport has evolved since his playing days, highlighting that players now bear the responsibility of inspiring fans and promoting the sport to a wider audience.
"They hit the ball harder. It’s much more grueling to play the way they do. There is also the TV aspect to it. They are big stars. Tennis has become one of the biggest sports in the world and they have a big responsibility," he said.
"They have to inspire people and promote the sport. It’s different than if you are a star in football. You don’t have to promote your sport. But if we talk about their fame, then they must be doing a great job. They all understand that no one player is bigger than the sport itself," he added.
Bjorn Borg: "We introduced the world to the way we played, Chris Evert and I had two-handed backhands"
During a joint interview with the New York Times earlier this year, Bjorn Borg credited himself and Chris Evert for introducing the world to the two-handed backhand.
"I think we introduced the world to the way we played. Chrissie and I liked to play from the back court. We had two-handed backhands, and not too many players did that," Borg said.
Evert, meanwhile, reminisced about the Swede enjoying "rock star" status at the French Open, recalling how security guards had to shield him from the "screaming" girls trying to reach him. The American also dubbed Borg the "biggest star" in tennis history.
"In Paris they were a little behind the times when it came to equality and women’s liberation and celebrating women athletes. It was all about men’s tennis. And Bjorn was like a rock star, like one of the Beatles. He had to have security guards around him," Chris Evert said.
"The girls were screaming and crying and trying to grab at him. I’d never seen anybody idolized like him. To this day I think he’s still the biggest star tennis has ever had," she added.
Chris Evert's ex-husband and former British No. 1 John Lloyd previously shared a similar anecdote about Bjorn Borg, calling him the "tennis players' 'Beatle'" for the "storm" he created at Wimbledon with his immense popularity among female fans.