"Things have really changed in today's tennis. In my years there were more upsets, there were a lot more names... It was not as predictable as tennis is today. You've got the question: «Who's gonna win the next Grand Slam?» and you only have four options" - Stefan Edberg on today's tennis. Read the interview
Bio & Career
Name: Stefan Bengt Edberg Born in: Västervik, Sweden Date: 19.01.1966 Lives in: Vaxjö (Sweden) Height: 188 cm (6'2 ft) Weight: 77 kg (170 libs) Plays: Right-handed Turned pro in: 1983 Retired in: 1996 Racquet: Wilson Pro Staff Clothing: Adidas
Stefan Edberg is one of the most successful tennis players of the '80s and '90s. He was born in Västervik, Sweden, on January 19, 1966 and started playing at the age of seven, following the footsteps of his childhood idol Björn Borg. He had a promising junior career and bounced to tennis world's attention in 1983, when he became the first and only player to complete the junior Grand Slam. In his professional career, Stefan won 42 singles (6 Grand Slams) and 18 doubles titles (3 Grand Slams), led Sweden to lift four Davis Cups, conquered the Olympic gold medal in Los Angeles in 1984. He was world number one both in singles and in doubles, a record he shares with John McEnroe. In singles, he first stood in the top position of the ranking in August 1990 and occupied that spot for 72 non consecutive weeks.
Edberg was one of the most brilliant serve & volley specialists and his style of play was admired for its elegance all around the world.
The most prestigious achievements in the Swede's distinguished record are the two titles at Wimbledon (1988, 1990), Flushing Meadows (1991, 1992) and Melbourne (1985, 1987). The defeat in 1989 French Open final against Michael Chang has prevented Stefan from completing a career Golden Slam and remains his greatest regret in 14 years of professionism. His rivalry with German Boris Becker, with whom he played three Wimbledon finals between 1988 and 1990, is remembered as one of the greatest of all-time sports.
Stefan was also known for his sportsmanship and fair play. He won the ATP Sportsmanship Award five times and this prize was named after him in 1996, when Edberg retired from professional tennis.
From July 2004 Edberg stands in the Tennis Hall of Fame along with other greats of the sport. He now lives in Vaxjö with his wife Annette Olsen (that he married on April 18, 1992) and his two children Emilie and Christopher. He runs an investment company called Case, owns a forty hectare forest and sells wood to the Swedish paper industry. He joined the Tour of Champions in 2008 and plays occasional exhibitons, mainly in Northern Europe.