"I have a family, I have kids, dogs, pets... I'm very happy” - Bjorn Borg addresses the possibility of coaching full-time after Laver Cup stint

Bjorn Borg opened up about the possibility of coaching in the future after Stefanos Tsitsipas' crushing 6-1, 6-4 victory against Team World's Thanasi Kokkinakis on the opening day of the 2024 Laver Cup in Berlin. The Swedish legend is captaining Team Europe for the final time.

Borg has been captaining Team Europe since the inaugural Laver Cup, while his rival John McEnroe has been captaining Team World. The Europeans won the first four editions of the three-day exhibition event; however, Team World has bounced back by winning the last two. This year marks their final showdown as captains, as Borg will be succeeded by Yannick Noah, and McEnroe will pass the torch to Andre Agassi for the next Laver Cup.

The 2024 edition kicked off with Francisco Cerundolo scoring a straight-set win against Casper Ruud, giving Team World the lead. Stefanos Tsitsipas restored parity by decimating Thanasi Kokkinakis in the second match.

In a post-match press conference, the 11-time Grand Slam champion was asked if he would consider coaching in the future. The Swede responded by saying he was content with his family, kids, and pets.

"For me, I have a family, I have kids, dogs, pets. I have all these things. I'm very happy with that," he said.

The 68-year-old said that he enjoyed the experience of coaching the younger generation of players during the Laver Cup. He mentioned seeing himself in the players and providing them with advice and encouragement.

"But to spend one week with these guys, I'm very happy. But that's a different thing for me, because I'm old. I see a little bit myself in these guys, because they need some push and they need some advice."

Tsitsipas mentioned the word guidance, which Borg agreed with. The latter said that he loved interacting with this younger generation and joked how he would sometimes find it hard to understand them.

"And guidance, exactly, right. But I'm happy, but that's why I will listen to these guys, because they have a lot of stories they tell, and for me, as an old player, hundred years ago, listen to this, it's interesting, it's fun, and sometimes I don't understand the whole thing, but that's why I love to spend time with these guys," he added.

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"The aura, it's all about the aura" - Stefanos Tsitsipas mentions that he would love to have Bjorn Borg as his coach

Bjorn Borg and Stefanos Tsitsipas (Source: Getty)

Stefanos Tsitsipas, who relieved his father Apostolos of his coaching duties after the Canadian Open, was asked who he would ideally choose to guide as his coach. The Greek answered with Bjorn Borg and explained how the Swede's aura was the main reason for his answer. Tsitsipas explained that the unique spiritual connection he felt with Borg created a special bond between them.

"The aura, it's all about the aura. Why I choose Bjorn, it's not because he's sitting right next to me here. I feel like the aura makes a big difference. Sometimes it's not what they tell you and how they tell you. It's that intimacy that you feel of someone sitting next to you and communicating things to you in a spiritual way," he said.

The 26-year-old mentioned that his experiences being coached by Borg during the Laver Cup provided him with a sense of comfort and relief when he stepped onto the court. This positive feeling served as a motivating factor for his continued participation in the exhibition event.

"I feel like that's something that I have enjoyed with Bjorn in the last few years, having played Laver Cup, and that is also why I keep coming back. I know that I have a great team captain by myself to support my tennis. That is also something that brings a lot of relief when I step out on the court," he added.

The 2024 edition is Tsitsipas' fourth appearance at the Laver Cup. He has lifted the cup twice.