Borg vs. McEnroe 2018

In the scorching summer of 1980, Bjorn Borg (Sverrir Gudnason), the Swedish tennis titan, stood tall as the world’s top-ranked player. His dominance on the court was matched only by his unyielding discipline off it. With four Wimbledon titles already etched in his name, Borg was poised to break records and cement his status as an all-time great.

But a new challenger emerged from across the Atlantic - the tempestuous John McEnroe (Shia LaBeouf), a young American phenom hell-bent on usurping Borg’s throne. The polar opposite of Borg’s icy demeanor, McEnroe was notorious for his explosive outbursts and tantrums on court, earning him the derisive nickname “Superbrat” among the British press.

As Wimbledon’s curtain drew near, Borg retreated to his luxurious Monaco estate to fine-tune his game under the watchful eye of coach Lennart Bergelin (Stellan Skarsgard) and girlfriend Mariana (Tuva Novotny). Meanwhile, McEnroe continued to fuel the fire with his brash confidence and reckless abandon, gradually chipping away at Borg’s typically unflappable composure.

As Borg reflected on his journey from troubled teenager to tennis royalty, memories of his early days flooded back. A rebellious youth prone to on-court outbursts, Borg was once dismissed as a potential wastrel who would never reach his full potential. It was Lennart, the captain of the Davis Cup team, who spotted the raw talent and nurtured it, recognizing the power in Borg’s unorthodox two-handed backhand.

Lennart’s tutelage transformed Borg into a force to be reckoned with on the court. The turning point came when, as a precocious 15-year-old, Borg was thrust into a Davis Cup match against the world’s number 20-ranked player. The outcome was a resounding victory that catapulted Borg to international fame.

With his reputation and confidence soaring, Borg had become an overnight sensation, destined to leave an indelible mark on the sport of tennis.

As Borg arrives in London, he meticulously orchestrates his Wimbledon routine, a carefully choreographed dance that leaves no detail to chance. Meanwhile, McEnroe scribbles out his own tournament bracket on the wall of his hotel room, an act of rebellion against the very notion of fate. The press, however, is fixated solely on Borg, their relentless questioning a constant reminder of the Swedish tennis legend’s laser-like focus.

Borg’s mind, meanwhile, is already turned toward retirement, with exhibition matches scheduled around the world and a lucrative payday of $1 million per match. Yet, despite his financial freedom, he remains steadfast in his refusal to play in South Africa, a stance that earns him both admiration and criticism. As he navigates the treacherous waters of celebrity, Borg finds solace in his relationship with Marinara, a love that he hopes to solidify through marriage.

The marketing machine, sensing an opportunity, advises Borg and Marinara to cash in on their nuptials by selling photo rights, lest they become prey for the paparazzi. As they prepare to tie the knot, Borg’s thoughts turn to his beloved tennis court, where every detail is meticulously planned, from the fine-tuning of his rackets to the precise temperature of his cooling rooms (a chilly 50 degrees Fahrenheit).

His parents, allowed to attend every second year, occupy the same spot on Centre Court, clad in identical attire, a testament to their unwavering support. Borg’s superstitions run deep, and he eschews any behavior that might disrupt his carefully honed routine. The baseline, for instance, is strictly off-limits, a taboo so profound that even the mere thought of trespassing it sends shivers down his spine.

In the midst of this intense preparation, Borg’s inner turmoil simmers just below the surface, threatening to erupt like a volcano at any moment. McEnroe, sensing an opportunity to gain insight into his rival’s psyche, crafts his own draw on hotel room wall, tracking the progress of his arch-nemesis with hawk-like precision.

As Borg watches McEnroe’s aggressive game, he begins to understand that his opponent’s on-court antics are merely a desperate attempt to recapture his focus. When his third-round match is paused due to rain, the pressure cooker within Borg finally explodes, and he lashes out at Bergelin and Marinara.

Flashbacks to his early triumphs at the French Open and Wimbledon serve as a poignant reminder of the crushing weight of expectation that has defined his career. In a moment of vulnerability, Borg’s anger boils over, and he insults Lennart, his long-time coach, by implying that he doesn’t comprehend the pressure Borg is under.

That night, Bergelin and Marinara commiserate over the toll Bjorn’s success has taken on their lives, a poignant acknowledgment of the human cost behind the legend.

As the quarter-final stage unfolds, a tense showdown between McEnroe and his doubles partner Peter Fleming (Scott Arthur) sets the tone for the intense rivalry to come. The day of the match, McEnroe’s brusque demeanor leads him to brush off Fleming’s concerns about an ankle brace, sparking a heated exchange that ultimately ends with McEnroe emerging victorious. Despite attempts at reconciliation, Fleming warns John that his fiery temperament will forever overshadow his remarkable skills on the court. Meanwhile, McEnroe’s father arrives in London to witness his son’s quest for greatness.

In the midst of this high-stakes drama, Borg struggles to find solace amidst the crushing pressure to perform. A poignant flashback reveals a year earlier, when he agreed to recreate a cherished childhood memory for a television interview - playing tennis outside his Stockholm home - but ultimately becomes frustrated by the inability to relive the exact experience and abandons the endeavor. At Wimbledon, Borg finds comfort in the wise counsel of Bergelin, reaffirming his commitment to claim victory.

McEnroe’s reputation as a hothead precedes him, earning him the ire of the crowd throughout his semi-final match. Despite this, he manages to secure a win and storms out of a contentious post-match press conference, leaving fans in a state of bewilderment. As the tournament reaches its climax, McEnroe completes his handmade bracket - pitting Borg against himself in the thrilling final showdown.

As these two tennis titans hurtle towards their fateful encounter, they delve deep into their formative memories, each one an antithesis of the other. With every passing moment, anticipation builds toward a match regarded as one of the greatest of all time, a visceral and breathlessly tense clash that would forever etch its mark on the world of tennis.

In the days leading up to the final, Borg’s coach Lennart leaves his side, only to return just in time for the championship, bearing witness to Borg’s erratic performance as he barely scrapes through to the finals. Meanwhile, McEnroe embarks on a mercurial ascent to the top, alienating the entire crowd with his antics.

As the final showdown between Borg and McEnroe approaches, the tension is palpable. During their epic battle, McEnroe learns to keep his cool amidst contentious decisions, eventually winning over the crowd’s favor. The match becomes a war of attrition, with each player refusing to yield. In the end, it takes an intense 4th set tiebreak for McEnroe to save seven match points and send the final into a thrilling fifth set.

In the ultimate display of resilience, Borg digs deep and emerges victorious in the final set, embracing his rival at the post-match ceremony. As they part ways at the airport, their rivalry is transformed into an enduring friendship - “Former rivals, best enemies.”