The Stockholm Open started three weeks early this season. The ATP 250 event has seen five different champions in the last five editions. The last time a Swedish player won the event was in 2004 when Thomas Johansson beat Andre Agassi in the final. In contrast, the first Swedish player to win the title was Bjorn Borg in 1980 when he beat John McEnroe in the final.
Borg was present at the Stockholm Open this year as his son was playing in the opening round. Leo Borg was facing Laslo Djere for the first time on tour. Borg was seen cheering his son from the stands. Tennis TV posted a video of the former world No.1 with the caption, “Bjorn Borg is in the house! No pressure, Leo.” The 20-year-old received a few tips from his father during the match.
Bjorn Borg is in the house! No pressure, Leo 😉🇸🇪#StockholmOpen pic.twitter.com/Ur8n5vmcQT
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 17, 2023
Not a bad dad to have for tennis tips 🇸🇪🐐#StockholmOpen pic.twitter.com/cn8oxMnsdQ
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 17, 2023
Djere hit 15 winners and broke serve four times in the match. Leo was serving faster than his opponent but was not consistent, as he hit six double faults. The Swedish player ended up losing the match in an hour and 20 minutes. Djere will next play J.J. Wolf in the fourth round, as Leo failed to win a match at the event for the third consecutive year.
Bjorn Borg looking through the rise of Leo Borg on the ATP tour
Borg last played a professional match 30 years ago in Moscow. The 67-year-old is still in touch with a tour and has been the captain of Team Europe at the Laver Cup since the start. The 11-time grand slam champion has also been supporting his son from the stands. Leo has played 5 ATP tour-level matches so far in singles and three matches in doubles. He has yet to win a match in doubles.
The world No.359 won his first ATP match at Bastad three months ago. Leo defeated Elias Ymer in straight sets in under two hours. Currently, no player from Sweden is ranked in the top 100, and Leo is the fourth highest-ranked player from his country. He has reached the finals six times in ITF-based events and has won three of them so far.
Leo has now been regularly featured in ATP challenger events but is yet to have a winning streak. He is being coached by Christian Brydniak and Rickard Billing. Borg also advises his son from his experience on tour. The five-time Wimbledon champion believes that his son is working hard. Leo will next play the doubles match at the Stockholm Open.