Björn Borg vs Ivan Lendl RG F 1981 highlights

[melende1966]

Lendl wasn't a child in 1981 he was 21

[bandlea]

Bjorn Borg is the best damn tennis player i have ever seen.The way in which he just wore his opponents down,and just knew when to play the right shot,coming to the net,and his unique ,effective backhand is one i have never seen before even in the modern game especially game.He trully was the king of tennis.

[mrbobevans]

I agree with your assessment of Borg's brilliance. He did have the strangest backhand I have ever seen - totally unique. Totally loved his class and determination. I never understood why Lendl tried to out steady Borg when they played.

[Vssgama]

Seems that Nadal is the son of Borg's style of play. I'm not saying that is just the same, but is like this style adapted for the modern tennis. Amazing Borg.

[wreckmaster666]

very funny chosen points! Looks like Borg has won because more agressive. That Lendl was the one who lost against Chang in 1989, not the bulldozer player that he's become.

[BashfulBob]

This match was very nice. It was a very hot day and it seemed the clay was a foot deep - an exceptionally slow and hot match. Borg was in total control and it was impressive of Lendl to take two sets.

[chapaev36]

Lendl does everything right in these rallies, but doesn't win them.

[Borgforever]

Yes, that's a strange fact. I credit Ivan greatly for still hanging in there at a great level and not succumb to any negative energy (like his meltdown in the AO 83 F). Lendl backhand is also very solid in this match (some fantastic BH passing-shots in tense moments-- no trace at all of the BH errors that marred a few other RG-finals of his. And a like Borg's FH, it's so varied in pace, angle and spin and sometimes he even outhits Lendl on this flank...

[turtlecutches]

Borgs groundstrokes have some insane depth topspin and net clearance lol

[chapaev36]

I think Borg did just enough to win this one, basically turning up the heat in the fifth set when he really needed it. It was basically in the bag, but you could tell Bjorn wasn't coming back. Borg and Lendl had another interesting match on clay later that year in Stuttgart that Borg won in four sets - Lendl had the same problem there, not being able to maintain his form deep into the match.