Facts From 1980 - Bjorn Borg Seeking His 5th Consecutive Wimbledon Title
Arguably one of the greatest moments in sporting history - and certainly in tennis history - came about in the 1980 Wimbledon Men`s Singles Final held on Saturday 5th July 1980. The Final was contested between Swedish tennis star Bjorn Borg who was attempting to win a 5th successive final. He had dominated Wimbledon with victories in 1976 , 1977 , 1978 and 1979 and now he had reached another final. His opponent that day was up and coming American tennis star John P. McEnroe who in 1979 had become the youngest ever winner of the US Open Tennis championships with a 3-0 win over Vitas Gerulaitis.
The match was umpired by Peter Harvey. Borg seeded number 1 versus McEnroe seeded number 2.
McEnroe walked onto centre court to boos from the Wimbledon crowd who had taken dislike to his outbursts and ungentlemanly manner with officials in his semi-final match with Jimmy Connors. However , this did not affect him in any way as he quickly won the first set 1-6 leaving Borg to need to win 3 out of a potential 4 sets remaining. He did not disappoint as he went on to win the next 2 sets 7-5 , 6-3 to lead 2-1. The fourth set was bitterly fought and reached 6-6 in games and went to a tie break. Was Borg on the verge of a historic win? McEnroe displayed a never say die attitude as point was traded for point and it eventually fell in his favour when he won by the incredible score of 18-16 to level the match at 2 sets all.
The fifth and final set again saw both players trade games right up to 6-6 but this time there was to be no tie break. The winner would be the player who took a 2 game lead. Borg served and won all 4 points to take a 7-6 lead. They take a break and change sides. McEnroe serves but Borg`s superior return of serve gives him 2 more match points - he had earlier had 7. This time he only needed one. Bjorn Borg after 3 hours and 53 minutes of mind gripping tennis had won a 5th consecutive final at Wimbledon and a winner`s cheque for £20,000.
The match became labelled as the greatest tennis match that had ever been played.
Know someone born in the year 1980?
Here`s a wonderful 1980 birthday card and gift in one that will bring back many nostalgic memories
Recommended Reading
Facts From 1979 - Sony Launches The Sony Walkman
The match was umpired by Peter Harvey. Borg seeded number 1 versus McEnroe seeded number 2.
McEnroe walked onto centre court to boos from the Wimbledon crowd who had taken dislike to his outbursts and ungentlemanly manner with officials in his semi-final match with Jimmy Connors. However , this did not affect him in any way as he quickly won the first set 1-6 leaving Borg to need to win 3 out of a potential 4 sets remaining. He did not disappoint as he went on to win the next 2 sets 7-5 , 6-3 to lead 2-1. The fourth set was bitterly fought and reached 6-6 in games and went to a tie break. Was Borg on the verge of a historic win? McEnroe displayed a never say die attitude as point was traded for point and it eventually fell in his favour when he won by the incredible score of 18-16 to level the match at 2 sets all.
The fifth and final set again saw both players trade games right up to 6-6 but this time there was to be no tie break. The winner would be the player who took a 2 game lead. Borg served and won all 4 points to take a 7-6 lead. They take a break and change sides. McEnroe serves but Borg`s superior return of serve gives him 2 more match points - he had earlier had 7. This time he only needed one. Bjorn Borg after 3 hours and 53 minutes of mind gripping tennis had won a 5th consecutive final at Wimbledon and a winner`s cheque for £20,000.
The match became labelled as the greatest tennis match that had ever been played.
Know someone born in the year 1980?
Here`s a wonderful 1980 birthday card and gift in one that will bring back many nostalgic memories
Recommended Reading
Facts From 1979 - Sony Launches The Sony Walkman
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