The Swedish Champion Faces Life ‘Moment to Moment’ After ‘Aggressive’ Prostate Cancer Discovery
The five-time Wimbledon winner, an iconic tennis champion, shared that he is living life “day by day, year by year” after receiving an “particularly intense” prostate cancer diagnosis.
Treatment and Progress
The former world no1, who ended his career in his mid-twenties, detailed the personal challenge in the final chapter of his autobiography, scheduled for publication soon. The Swede is currently in remission after undergoing a procedure in 2024, but stated that the news was “difficult psychologically”.
“The physician told me and he said the situation is very serious,” the champion revealed. “He explained about inactive cancerous cells which means an ongoing battle going forward. Every six months I undergo check-ups. Recently, I completed another screening. It’s part of my life now.”
Personal Struggles
In his autobiography he discusses panic attacks and past addictions, which he says started in 1982. “My initial experience with cocaine,” he recalls, “I got the same kind of rush I used to get from tennis.”
He narrates being rushed abroad years ago due to substance misuse on “alcohol, drugs, pills — how I coped”. He further shares “a moment of humiliation”, happening upon regaining consciousness during treatment to see his father following a repeat incident.
Career Decisions
In his book Borg describes ending his career as a young man following defeats major tournaments against a familiar opponent. “I felt that my happiness was gone,” he recalls.
