Björn Borg Opens Up About Prostate Cancer Battle and Past Struggles
Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
In his upcoming autobiography, tennis legend Björn Borg reveals his battle with prostate cancer. In an interview with BBC, Bog explained, “I spoke to the doctor and he said this is really, really bad… It’s going to be a fight in the future.”
Fortunately, the five-time Wimbledon champion is in remission after an operation in 2024. However, he describes the diagnosis as “difficult psychologically.”
Early Retirement and Drug Struggles
Borg retired from tennis at the age of 25 following a string of losses to rival John McEnroe. He reveals in his book that he started using drugs in 1982, stating, “The first time I tried cocaine, I got the same kind of rush I used to get from tennis.”
Borg’s drug use led to several hospitalizations, including one instance where he was rushed to a Dutch hospital after overdosing on “alcohol, drugs, pills – my preferred ways of self-medication.” He also shared the “worst shame”, seeing his father after another overdose.
Diagnosis Impact
Borg’s cancer diagnosis comes years after his struggles with drug addiction and early retirement. However, he seems to have found a sense of peace, saying he’s taking life “day by day, year by year.”