The Swedish Champion Faces Life ‘Day by Day’ Following ‘Aggressive’ Prostate Cancer Discovery
The five-time Wimbledon winner, an iconic sports figure, has revealed that he is taking life “one day at a time” post an “highly severe” cancer diagnosis.
Remission and Recovery
The 11-time grand slam winner, who stepped away from the sport in his mid-twenties, revealed the medical update in the closing section of his autobiography, coming out soon. The Swede is now cancer-free following a procedure in the past, but stated that the revelation was “hard to process mentally”.
“I spoke to the doctor and he said it’s an aggressive form,” Borg shared. “He mentioned dormant cancer cells and it’s going to be a fight going forward. Twice a year I get examined. I did my last test two weeks ago. It’s part of my life now.”
Life Challenges
In his autobiography he discusses panic attacks and his drug use, which he says started in 1982. “The first time I tried cocaine,” he mentions, “I experienced a high reminiscent from my competing days.”
The book recounts being rushed to a Dutch hospital during that decade following excessive use on “substances and medications — how I coped”. He also writes about “the worst shame of all”, which he says came as he awoke during treatment and noticed his dad following a repeat incident.
Retirement Reflections
Throughout the memoir he details leaving professional tennis in his twenties following defeats major tournaments against a familiar opponent. “I felt that I was deeply unhappy,” he states.
