Tennis legend Bjorn Borg, the stoic ice king whose five consecutive Wimbledon titles and epic rivalry with John McEnroe defined an era, has revealed a harrowing truth from the depths of his post-retirement life. In a candid and shocking disclosure, the 67-year-old Swede has shared that he nearly died on two separate occasions from drug overdoses following a spiral into cocaine-fuelled parties and prescription pill abuse.
The Descent After Glory
Borg’s abrupt retirement in 1983 at the age of 26 sent shockwaves through the world of sports. Having achieved everything there was to achieve, including 11 Grand Slam singles titles, he walked away from the game, utterly burned out. However, the transition from the regimented life of a global superstar to a civilian existence proved catastrophically difficult. "I had no structure in my life," Borg confessed in recent interviews promoting a new biopic. "Tennis had given me that for 20 years. Now it was gone."
This void was filled with a dangerous pursuit of escapism. Borg describes a period of intense partying, where cocaine became a frequent companion. The quiet intensity he displayed on court was replaced by a desperate search for sensation off it. The man who was once the picture of physical fitness and mental fortitude found himself on a perilous path of self-destruction, a stark contrast to his on-court persona.
The Two Brushes with Death
The specifics of the two near-fatal incidents are chilling. The first overdose occurred after a night of heavy cocaine use. Borg’s body, unaccustomed to such extreme substance abuse, began to shut down. He has recounted waking up in a state of sheer terror, realizing he had come perilously close to death. Rather than serving as a wake-up call, this traumatic experience was, alarmingly, not his last.
The second incident was even more severe. Borg had been mixing prescription pills, likely sedatives or painkillers, with alcohol. The combination proved to be a potentially lethal cocktail. He has revealed that he was found unresponsive and required immediate medical intervention to be revived. "I didn't think I would survive," he stated, reflecting on the darkness of that moment.
A Life Hanging in the Balance
These episodes were not mere accidents; they were the direct result of a deep and unresolved psychological crisis. The pressure of his fame, the difficulty of adjusting to a life without competition, and a failed first marriage to Romanian tennis player Mariana Simionescu all contributed to a profound depression that he attempted to medicate with drugs.
The psychological toll was immense. Borg’s struggles during this period included:
- Severe Depression: A loss of purpose and identity after retirement.
- Substance Abuse: Using cocaine and pills to numb emotional pain and fill the void.
- Financial Ruin: His business ventures failed, leading to bankruptcy.
- Suicidal Thoughts: He has admitted to contemplating ending his own life.
It was a comprehensive collapse of the life he had built. The man who had once commanded Centre Court was now a shadow, grappling with demons that his legendary focus could no longer contain.
The Long Road to Recovery
The turning point came through the intervention of his son, Robin, and his second wife, Patricia Östfeldt, whom he married in 2002. They provided the stability and unconditional love he desperately needed. Borg has credited his family with saving his life, giving him a reason to seek help and finally confront his addictions and mental health struggles head-on.
His recovery involved stepping away from the toxic environments and triggers of his past life. He has spoken about finding new routines and a healthier perspective, far removed from the relentless glare of the spotlight he once inhabited. "I have a great life today," Borg now says. "I am happy. I am healthy."
A Legacy Beyond Tennis
Bjorn Borg’s decision to speak so openly about these darkest chapters is a powerful part of his legacy. It shatters the illusion of the invincible champion and reveals the very human vulnerability that lies beneath. His story is no longer just about athletic greatness; it is a profound cautionary tale about the perils of fame, the importance of mental health, and the possibility of redemption.
He hopes his experience can serve as a warning to others, especially athletes struggling with the transition out of professional sports. "You have to be careful when you stop doing something you have been doing all your life," he advises. "You need to find something new to focus on."
Today, Borg is a respected elder statesman of tennis, often seen at major tournaments. He has rebuilt his business interests and maintains a calm, contented life in Sweden. The frantic, desperate man from the 1990s is gone, replaced by a serene grandfather who has found peace after weathering a storm that nearly killed him twice over.
His revelation adds a deeply somber and humanizing layer to his legend. The image of Borg, cold and implacable on the tennis court, is now forever paired with the memory of his fight for survival off it. It is a story of a champion who faced his greatest match point not against an opponent on the other side of the net, but against himself, and ultimately, won.