The Swedish Champion Approaches Life ‘Day by Day’ Post ‘Intense’ Prostate Cancer Identification

The former world number one, a legendary sports figure, has revealed that he is taking life “one day at a time” following an “particularly intense” cancer diagnosis.

Health Update

The former world no1, who left professional tennis at 25, revealed the personal challenge in the final chapter of his memoir, set to release shortly. The Swede is currently in remission post an operation in the past, but described that the news was “hard to process mentally”.

“My doctor explained and he said it’s an aggressive form,” Borg shared. “He said you have these sleeping cancer cells and it’s going to be a fight in the future. Regularly I get examined. Recently, I completed another screening. It’s part of my life now.”

Past Difficulties

Throughout his memoir Borg writes about mental health struggles and past addictions, which he says started in 1982. “When I first used drugs,” he recalls, “I got the same kind of rush I used to get from tennis.”

Borg describes being rushed abroad during that decade after overdosing on “substances and medications — my method of dealing with stress”. He further shares “his deepest regret”, which he says came upon regaining consciousness during treatment to see his father post yet another crisis.

Career Decisions

In his book he reflects on his decision to retire at the age of 25 after losing championship matches to another tennis great. “All I could think was how miserable my life had become,” he states.