The matches between the tennis greats were followed by the whole world. Some of the most memorable moments were the Wimbledon finals. In 1980, Borg won the grass-court tournament for the fifth consecutive year after a thrilling duel with the hot-tempered American.
The following year, McEnroe got his revenge.
From mutual respect, a strong friendship grew - and it has endured throughout the years.
They met regularly for several years, when Borg led the European team and McEnroe led the world team in the Laver Cup. Now McEnroe, who works as a pundit for HBO Max during the Australian Open, says he misses his friend.
"Now I see him even less often, and it's actually a bit depressing. You get caught up in your own life and everything that's happening around you. Sometimes you really have to make an effort to meet other people," he says, according to Expressen.
"We're not getting any younger either. I haven't met him since the Laver Cup in 2024. We've talked on the phone and texted each other, but just recently I thought I had to meet him," McEnroe said.
"Borg was perhaps my biggest rival, but we had no problems with each other. We always got along well," says the American.
