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ALSO SEE Reel Classics - 2003 schedule McEnroe a menace and magician |
Wednesday, November 19, 2003 McEnroe is Bjorn with first Wimbledon title ![]() ESPN Classic's Game of the Week documentary is a comprehensive look at the classic games and moments in sports history. If you love great sports moments, then ESPN Classic is the place to be on Sunday nights. This week, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of one of the more memorable Wimbledon finals between John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg from 1981 on Sunday at 7 p.m. ET.
The top seed Borg was expected to capture his sixth consecutive Wimbledon singles title, and McEnroe, seeded second, was looking to avenge a loss in an epic five set match in the 1980 final. Two tie breakers in the second and third sets would pay huge dividends as McEnroe defeated Borg 4-6, 7-6, 7-6, 6-4 to win his first of three Wimbledon singles titles. The victory ended Borg's amazing Wimbledon streaks at five championships and 41 matches. It also was Borg's last appearance at Wimbledon. He retired at the end of the season. After joining the circuit in 1978, McEnroe would own 77 career singles titles and in only three years, he'd become the No. 1 player in the world. With 74 doubles championships and a combined 15 Grand Slam triumphs, McEnroe would be ranked No. 1 for a record 257 weeks in his illustrious career.
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