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Synopsis

Wimbledon, 5 July 1980. Bjorn Borg is beating McEnroe by two sets to one. The players enter into the most dramatic tie-break in tennis history. With exquisite play, Borg creates three Championship points, only to squander each one of them. McEnroe finally converts his seventh set point to take the match into the decider. Borg is chasing a record-breaking fifth title, McEnroe desperately seeking his first.

As the men walked on to court, the crowd favoured Borg, booing McEnroe. But the Superbrat was a different man that day, curbing his tantrums and winning the crowd over as his respect for Borg became evident.

On the other side of the net was the Ice Borg, one of the fittest athletes of the time, a man who practised five hours a day. With his rock-star good looks and wonderful tennis, Borg was adored by fans across the world.

From these diametric characters emerged an intense professional rivalry which developed into a strong friendship. Malcolm Folley explores the essence of their competitiveness, encapsulated in the epic encounter of Wimbledon 1980, and interviews many of the key characters involved, including Connors, Fleming, McEnroe's brother Patrick and Borg's ex-wife Mariana. On the 25th anniversary of this defining moment in the careers of both men, Borg versus McEnroe casts new light on one of the greatest rivalries in sporting history.