PHOTO: Bildbyrån
He is one of Swedish tennis’ best players of all time.
Now Jonas Björkman says exactly what he thinks of Swedish tennis today.
– That is the problem with many young players these days, says the legend to Expressen.
Once upon a time, Sweden was a dominant power in tennis. With big names like Björn Borg, Mats Wilander and Stefan Edberg little Sweden lined up titles and successes on an assembly line.
Björkman’s greatness
Another Swedish legend who has entered the history books is Jonas Björkman. He is one of our country’s most successful players of all time with a whopping 54 doubles titles and 6 singles titles during his long and fine career.
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When Björkman was at his best, he was ranked world number one in doubles and world number four in singles. Above all, he was a true gentleman and a true role model on the tennis court.
Swedish tennis today
After his playing career, Björkman fell in love with the trendy sport of padel and is both the national captain of the Swedish padel team and started several padel halls together with his friend and artist Måns Zelmerlöw. They play together and raise money for their foundation to help vulnerable children in Africa.
– We work for vulnerable young people and some of our young people have both made it to university and out of the slums. I worked with charity all my years in tennis. But to be able to start something of your own and follow it all the way, as me and Måns have done, it has been fantastic, he tells Expressen.
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At the same time, Jonas Björkman has followed the great decline of Swedish tennis. Where the heyday of the 70s, 80s and 90s is a thing of the past, and in recent years Sweden has fumbled hard as a tennis nation.
– It is sad how it has turned out. All of us who have played in the past wish nothing more than that we had good players today as well. And the toughest thing is that I don’t see any reason for optimism, says the legend in the interview about Swedish tennis today.
READ MORE: The icon Jonas Björkman breaks the silence about Mikael Ymer – harsh criticism after the verdict: “It’s only him who…”
The best Swede in the world ranking these days is Elias Ymer first in 201st place. Now Björkman gives his view on what has gone wrong in recent years.
– It is remarkable that a few years ago we were ten former players and coaches who would help new talents and coaches. We would do it for free, I met a player and his coach in February one year, said I could be like a mentor if they wanted and was happy to stand up if they wanted to ask anything, anything. It felt great fun. The coach contacted me next in December of the same year. Ten months later. He had not had time before then, he tells the evening newspaper.
– It was the same for those players. Everyone had the same experience. No one wanted our help. A problem with young players today is many of them don’t know what it takes to reach the top and still don’t seek help.
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