INVESTIGATION – In 1981, the legendary Swede won his sixth and last Roland-Garros tournament. The influence of the one who changed the game by his professionalism and his lift can still be read between the lines.
June 7, 1981. A Sunday of communion. Björn Borg is playing his sixth final at Roland Garros, the public devours him with their eyes, carries him. That year, the poster painted by the Spaniard Eduardo Arroyo freezes a back silhouette, blond hair tamed by a headband. The tournament has never been so united with a player. Roland-Garros is Borg. A Christlike look, a Fila pinstripe shirt, a yellow and blue terry cuff to accompany the demonic effects of the Donnay wooden racket strung over 30 kg which gave its strikes a unique metallic sound.
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The Swede, who had stifled Manuel Orantes (1974), Guillermo Vilas (1975, 1978), Victor Pecci (1979) and Vitas Gerulaitis (1980) during previous epilogues in Paris, saw his last final of the French Open. Breathless, Ivan Lendl gives in in five sets and takes a date. Released by his eleventh Grand Slam title, Björn Borg, hunched shoulders throws his racket towards the sky. Soon she there
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