Bjorn Borg and Jimmy Connors battled it out in several classic encounters during their ATP rivalry.
Few players were better than Borg and Connors during the 1970s as the pair racked up an impressive number of Major titles.
Winning his first Major at the French Open in 1974, the Swedish star built a legacy very few could rival as he collected 11 Grand Slam titles.
One player who arguably came close was Connors, as he won 8 Major titles, including five at his home US Open tournament.
Speaking at the end of their rivalry in 1981, Borg explained why his matches with Connors were so special in an interview with another ATP Tour legend.
Bjorn Borg told Arthur Ashe he and Jimmy Connors played ‘better points’ than other ATP stars
Borg and Connors faced off for the 22nd time at Wimbledon in 1981, as the Swede got the better of his American opponent, winning in five sets to advance to the final.
Shortly after, Borg spoke to another American legend, Arthur Ashe, who thought he’d noticed something about the Swede when he played Connors.
“People talk about your match with John McEnroe in last year’s final but when I look at three separate elements, you, Jimmy Connors, and the Wimbledon Centre Court, I see a special chemistry with that triangle,” said Ashe.
“What do you think when you think of Wimbledon Centre Court, Jimmy Connors, and Bjorn Borg?”
Borg agreed with Ashe, as he looked back on his 1980 Wimbledon final with McEnroe.
“I think I agree with you on that point,” said Borg.
“Compare this match to last year’s final against [John] McEnroe.
“I think the final last year was more exciting because of that unbelievable tiebreak we had and then it came down to 8-6 in the fifth set.”
Borg then explained why his matches with Connors were better than against other players on the ATP Tour.
“When Jimmy [Connors] and myself play we always play better points than when Jimmy and myself play against other guys,” he said.
“Because we play quite a lot from the back courts, we come in once in a while too, and I think the way we play is why we have so many great points.
“I think that is why the people really enjoy when Jimmy and myself play a lot of matches and usually we always play good matches because we play great tennis.”
Bjorn Borg won his last ten matches against Jimmy Connors
Having beaten him on his way to the title at Wimbledon earlier that year, Borg and Connors faced off once more, in last four of the US Open.
Still searching for his maiden crown in New York, it was Borg who prevailed, winning in three sets, 6-2, 7-5, 6-4.
The win was his tenth straight against the American, as he turned around the rivalry he once trailed, 1-6.
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 1981 US Open – SF | Bjorn Borg | Jimmy Connors | 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 |
| 1981 Wimbledon – SF | Bjorn Borg | Jimmy Connors | 0-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 |
| 1980 Masters – SF | Bjorn Borg | Jimmy Connors | 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 |
| 1980 Salisbury WCT – RR | Bjorn Borg | Jimmy Connors | 6-3, 6-1 |
| 1979 Masters – RR | Bjorn Borg | Jimmy Connors | 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 |
| 1979 WCT Challenge Cup – F | Bjorn Borg | Jimmy Connors | 6-4, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 |
| 1979 Tokyo 2 – F | Bjorn Borg | Jimmy Connors | 6-2, 6-2 |
| 1979 Wimbledon – SF | Bjorn Borg | Jimmy Connors | 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 |
| 1979 Las Vegas – F | Bjorn Borg | Jimmy Connors | 6-3, 6-2 |
| 1979 Pepsi Grand Slam – F | Bjorn Borg | Jimmy Connors | 6-2, 6-3 |
When Borg retired from tennis at the end of the 1981 season, he did so with a leading 15-8 head-to-head record against Connors.
Their rivalry had come to a close but those who witnessed the pair face off will no doubt still remember their countless classic matches.
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