Borg vs McEnroe - 1982 Akai Gold Challenge Match (Part 1)

[@SUPERCOOPERMAGIC]

I used to string my racquets the same tension in college, & emulated his strokes exactly. I still have a couple of racquets that broke with gut strings in them that folded up like Borg's did in this video when he was serving to Mac. I was also born on June 6th, but a year later in 1957. I met Borg in Memphis when I was 16 & he was 17. He lost that year in the first round, and was practicing the next day when I met him. He won in Memphis the next year easily.

[@JD-jc8gp]

Wish I could see some footage of Borg playing Lendl at this event. Borg absolutely wiped the floor with him.

[@SuperHammaren]

Yes and Lendl always gave everything also in small exhibitions matches, here a golden racket was the price.

[@MrJeepsters]

What was score of the match ?

[@yournamehere7182]

0:26

[@SUPERCOOPERMAGIC]

I believe Nadal learned "a little bit" from Borg, "for sure"!!! ; )

[@alanchong7513]

"For sure." Borg always says that, right?

[@jdmresearch]

@Kent Eriksson I used to be huge fan of Carlson. Not many videos around. He was one of the first in using an extreme western or "hawaiian" grip.

[@vasterasgurkan]

I thought Borg retired in ´82?..

[@danielvictorcassidy8091]

He retired after Monte Carlo in ‘82 after the atp refused to let him take time away from the sport, while insisting if he did so he’ll have to qualify as his ranking wouldn’t be protected. The tournaments he did play in ‘82 were somewhat semi serious as he was feeling burnt out and unmotivated to play. I believe Borg would not of retired so soon if he was allowed to take time off, relax and enjoy himself a little and then train a few weeks before the majors to prepare for them. This is evident in his continued exhibition appearances and several ill judged comebacks almost 10years later. However the atp didn’t want to give him preferential treatment in fear other players would expect the same, plus obviously wanted to protect the earning potential of the tour. Can see their fears here but Borg warranted this exemption, certainly with hindsight and also with what he had achieved in such a short time. Wilander claims that while practicing with Borg a month or so before the French, Borg was beating him easy as he was focused on winning it again, but realised he didn’t want to risk having qualify for Wimbledon and us open so decided to just end career completely. Wilander of course went on to win the ‘82 French. Take care

[@tomloft2000]

when he retired is a good question. he announced his retirement in Jan. 83,but he played Monte Carlo the same year.he then played in Stuttgart the following year.then there was the ill fated comeback in 1991.

[@JD-jc8gp]

@@danielvictorcassidy8091 As tomloft2000 said above, Borg officially retired in early 1983. Right up until that point, he kept saying that he was working on his comeback to the tour. This tournament (Akai in Sydney) was part of his preparation for his return and probably the best he looked late in 1982 (this was in November). But I guess something happened in the next couple of months and Borg decided he was hanging them up. He still played some exhibitions after his retirement and the Monte Carlo event which did not require qualifying matches.

[@SuperHammaren]

@@tomloft2000 The stuttgart match was a contract thing, by not playing so much in 82 resulted in problems with contracts at some tournaments. Stuttgart was promiced his presence in 84. He hardly trained before it though.

[@MrJeepsters]

He stopped playing at the end of 81. He didn't play thé masters.