Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe have followed each other for most of their lives. After 1981, the American took over the throne as the world's best tennis player, and following the end of their careers, they have remained good friends.
Between 2017 and 2024, they were team captains for Team Europe and Team World, respectively, in the exhibition tournament Laver Cup, a job McEnroe misses.
"Now I see him even less often, and it's actually a little depressing. You get caught up in your own life and everything that happens around you. Sometimes you really have to make an effort to see other people", says McEnroe, who is currently working as an expert for HBO during the Australian Open.
"We're not getting any younger either, thanks for the reminder. I haven't seen him since then (Laver Cup 2024). We have been in contact via phone and text a few times, but recently I thought, "Damn it, I have to meet that guy".
Since 2025, it has been Andre Agassi and Yannick Noah who have taken over as team captains in the Laver Cup.
"The Laver Cup was fantastic for us, precisely because it was so focused in time. It's a great event, and being able to do all those years together with Björn made it even more fun for me."
McEnroe points out that despite being big rivals, the two were also good friends, just like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz today.
"I will talk about my three biggest rivals. Did I get on so well with Ivan (Lendl)? We respected each other, absolutely. I can't say we were close friends. (Jimmy) Connors – no. But Bjorn Borg and I, who were perhaps my biggest rivals, never had any problems. We always got along well. And that was undoubtedly my biggest rivalry", says McEnroe.