As The Wimbledon Championships moved into the eighties, they were greeted by one of the most memorable Gentlemen's Singles Finals ever. 1980 saw Sweden's Bjorn Borg face the promising 21-year-old American, John McEnroe. Borg had four Wimbledon titles under his belt and was the firm favorite. McEnroe however had shown his potential two years earlier, reaching the semi-final from the qualifying stages. Vastly contrasting his character, Borg remained calm and composed, while McEnroe was openly emotional and determined.

McEnroe made a swift start to take opening set 6-1, but Borg fought back against the left-hander's net attack and won the next two sets. In the fourth, at 5-4, 40-15, it seemed that Borg had secured his fifth Wimbledon title, but McEnroe hadn't finished. he produced two fearless shots to escape defeat and them went on to play one of the greatest tie-breaks in tennis history. Borg failed to convert five more Championship points and McEnroe leveled the match to make it two sets all by winning the tie break 18-16.

The battle continued, but eventually it was the Swede who triumphed after 3 hours and 53 minutes, taking the final set 8-6. Borg had won his fifth consecutive Wimbledon title. He hurled his racket into the air and sank to his knees in sheer relief .....