Despite frequently commenting on the remarkable talents of players like Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic, Borg’s favorite player to watch was neither of these contemporary legends. Instead, he chose a South American talent whom he never had the opportunity to face during his own career.

Borg identified former world number one, Chilean standout Marcelo Rios, as his player of preference during a 2024 interview with La Tercera in Chile. “Marcelo Rios was an incredible player, truly exceptional. I watched him play so many times; his skill on the court was nothing short of amazing,” Borg expressed.

Reflecting further, Borg acknowledged a shared experience with Ríos: both chose to retire early. “Perhaps Marcelo wanted to explore other paths in his life, but during his career, he was one of the best; arguably, he was the best. Following his matches and watching his gameplay was an incredible experience,” Borg added.

Rios’ impact on the ATP circuit

It is no coincidence that Rios was Borg’s favorite tennis player to watch. Although he never secured a Grand Slam title, his pinnacle achievement came in 1998 when he finished as the runner-up at the Australian Open and earned the top spot in the ATP rankings, becoming world number one.

After clinching 18 titles, including five Masters 1000 titles, Rios decided to retire from professional play. Struggling with multiple injuries and unable to maintain a high level of play, Rios nevertheless left an enduring legacy for his country with his remarkable achievements. His playing style, distinguished by his left-handed finesse and serve, captivated audiences worldwide.

As the first Latin American player to reach the top of the ATP rankings, Rios is regarded as one of the best players from his region. He left an indelible mark on the tennis landscape of the 1990s, paving the way for future talents like fellow Chilean Nicolas Massu.

Borg’s take on the tennis GOAT debate

Borg has also weighed in on the debate of the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) in tennis. While acknowledging the plethora of talented players in ATP history, Borg expressed unequivocally that Djokovic holds the title of the GOAT in tennis.

“The best in history is Djokovic due to his Grand Slam victories and numerous titles, but the two players who have made the most impact on this sport, in my opinion, are Nadal and Federer,” he shared with El Español in an interview conducted back in 2024.

Facing Fognini proved to be a formidable task for Alcaraz. The match was closely contested, and as the third set concluded, the Spaniard appeared poised to clinch victory. Yet, Fognini, playing in what could be his final Wimbledon appearance, rallied impressively.

Post-match, Alcaraz acknowledged Fognini’s tenacity, suggesting the Italian might have more to offer in the coming years, especially after he forced a decisive fifth set. As Alcaraz secured the third set, the crowd anticipated a straightforward win. However, Fognini defied expectations with a 6-2 triumph in the fourth set, extending the contest.

By needing five sets to advance, Alcaraz joined an elite, albeit unwanted, category at Wimbledon. He became just the third player, following Federer and Borg, to play a five-set match in the opening round after having won the championship the previous year, as noted by OptaAce.

Alcaraz breaks new ground with impressive grass court stat

Alcaraz continues to make waves in the tennis world. After matching the unwanted stat from Federer and Borg, with his latest victory on the grass courts of Wimbledon, the young Spaniard stands out as the quickest player to secure 30 wins on grass in the Open Era, achieving this feat in fewer matches than any before.

“Carlos Alcaraz (33 matches, 30-3) has become the fastest player to reach 30 ATP-level match wins on grass in the Open Era, surpassing Rod Laver and Tony Roche (34 matches each). Sensational,“ tweeted OptaAce, highlighting Alcaraz’s remarkable accomplishment.

Fognini bids farewell to Wimbledon

Fognini played his final match at Wimbledon following an early exit from the tournament. The 38-year-old Italian is set to retire from the ATP circuit this year, hoping to conclude his career with memorable performances.

Despite Alcaraz ultimately prevailing, Fognini demonstrated his enduring skill by pushing the younger player to a five-set battle. Though Alcaraz’s youthful vigor eventually overwhelmed Fognini’s seasoned expertise, the match underscored Fognini’s potential to continue competing at a high level.

With a commanding 6-1, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory over the Hungarian—who previously upset him at the 2023 Italian Open—Alcaraz secured his 20th career win at Roland Garros in just 23 matches.

The only player to hit 20 wins at the French Open faster? Rafael Nadal. The 22-time Grand Slam champion reeled off a historic 20-0 start at Roland Garros and went on to win 31 straight matches at the tournament before his shocking loss to Robin Soderling in 2009.

Even more impressive, Alcaraz, at just 22 years old, now holds the third-highest career win percentage on clay among ATP players who’ve played at least 25 matches. His 98-19 record (83.8%) trails only two all-time greats: Nadal (90.5%) and Borg (86.1%).

Alcaraz reflects on his victory

While the Spaniard dominated the first, third, and fourth sets against Marozsan, the Hungarian challenged him significantly in the second. Marozsan, who had previously defeated Alcaraz at the 2023 Italian Open, elevated his game to steal the second set before Alcaraz reasserted control to seal the match.

“It was a great, great match,” Alcaraz said during his on-court interview with Mats Wilander. “I played well in the first set. I had really high confidence. In the second set, he started to play much better, really aggressively, and didn’t miss at all”.

“It was a little bit difficult dealing with his game in the second set, but I was pleased to stay strong and refresh in the third set. I started to play better and better. I had a really good last two sets,” Alcaraz added.

Alcaraz has already etched his name in tennis history at a young age. In 2022, he became the youngest player to ever reach the World No. 1 ATP ranking after clinching his first Grand Slam title at the US Open. Since then, he has added two Wimbledon titles and a French Open championship to his collection, bringing his Grand Slam tally to four.

Speaking ahead of the Barcelona Open, Borg shared his thoughts with RTVE, confidently stating that Alcaraz has what it takes to rival Nadal’s legendary career. “I believe that Alcaraz will achieve the same or more than Nadal,” Borg said. “He has the right mentality and can play on all surfaces. With a bit of luck, he will be the king of tennis”.

Alcaraz, fresh off his victory at the Monte–Carlo Masters where he defeated Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti in the final, started the Barcelona Open with a dominant win over Ethan Quinn.

Former tennis star Fernando Verdasco sees things differently

Not everyone shares Borg’s optimism. Recently retired Spanish star Fernando Verdasco has taken a more skeptical stance, suggesting that it’s nearly impossible for anyone to replicate what Nadal has done.

“I am often asked if Alcaraz will win as many Grand Slams as Nadal. What I can say is that it is almost impossible,” Verdasco told L’Equipe earlier this year. “Winning 22 majors—it’s hard to overstate what that represents. You’d need to win two or three every year throughout your career. Any injury, operation, or physical issue complicates that significantly”.

Comparing Alcaraz and Sinner to the ‘Big Three’

Despite his doubts about matching Nadal’s numbers, Verdasco acknowledges that Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner bring an aura reminiscent of Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer. “Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, they are a bit like Roger [Federer], Rafa, and Novak [Djokovic] were. They are above the others,” Verdasco remarked.

While he admitted they aren’t invincible, Verdasco emphasized their unique ability to rise above the competition. “Of course they can lose, but you can see that they have something extra. At every Grand Slam, they are favorites,” he added.

Wimbledon has witnessed countless iconic moments and legendary matchups event. The list of champions in the men’s singles during the Open Era is a testament to the sheer talent of these remarkable players. Notably, the upcoming final will feature an exciting showdown between the reigning champion Novak Djokovic and the rising star Carlos Alcaraz.

The history of men’s singles champions at Wimbledon is filled with iconic figures who have left an indelible mark on the sport. Legends like Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras, and Roger Federer have carved their names into tennis lore with their extraordinary achievements on the hallowed grass courts of the All England Club.

The tournament has witnessed fierce rivalries that have captivated the world, including the epic clashes between John McEnroe and Borg, the encounters between Sampras and Andre Agassi, and the recent duels between Rafael Nadal, Djokovic, and Federer to determine the Wimbledon champions through the years.

Wimbledon Champions in the Open Era by Year