In 1988, Mats Wilander made history by becoming the first Swedish man to ever win the US Open Men’s Singles title.
Wilander, who became world number one following his victory, defeated Czech great Ivan Lendl in the final, 6-4 4-6 6-3 5-7 6-4.
Wilander enjoyed the best year of his career in 1988, winning three Grand Slam titles. The only person who defeated him in a Grand Slam singles match that year was Miloslav Mečíř, who beat Wilander in the Wimbledon quarter-finals.
It may come as a surprise to read that no Swedish man had won the US Open before Wilander when considering the presence of Bjorn Borg.
However, for all of Borg’s remarkable achievements, he never won the US Open Men’s Singles title.
Mats Wilander realised why it was hard for Bjorn Borg to win the US Open
Bjorn Borg amassed an incredible 11 Grand Slams before his shock retirement in 1983 at the age of 26, winning six French Open titles and five Wimbledon titles.
Unfortunately for Borg, he never won the Australian Open or US Open. Borg only competed at the Australian Open once, in 1974, where he reached the third round.
However, Borg was a finalist four times at the US Open, between 1976 and 1981.
When Mats Wilander – a winner of seven Grand Slam singles titles – accomplished what Borg could not, the Swede expressed what he had realised about Borg and the US Open.
In a New York Times article from 1988 quoted on the US Open website, Wilander said: “I realized tonight why it was hard for Borg to win [the US Open].
”It is so tough, mentally and physically. Because it’s a tournament that I’ve never won, or a Swede has never won, and because I’m going to be No. 1, it’s the biggest match I ever played.
“It meant so much.”
Bjorn Borg’s four US Open final losses
Two American stars prevented Bjorn Borg from becoming the first Swedish man to win the US Open: Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe.
Connors, an eight-time Grand Slam champion, defeated Borg in 1976 and 1978, while McEnroe triumphed over the Swede in 1980 and 1981.
| Year | Opponent | Score |
| 1976 | Jimmy Connors | 4-6 6-3 6-7 4-6 |
| 1978 | Jimmy Connors | 4-6 2-6 2-6 |
| 1980 | John McEnroe | 6-7 1-6 7-6 7-5 4-6 |
| 1981 | John McEnroe | 6-4 2-6 4-6 3-6 |
Remarkably, Borg’s match against McEnroe would be the last he played at the US Open. Borg did not participate the following year, before retiring in January 1983.
Borg attempted a comeback between 1991 and 1993, but failed to win a single match.
