The fourth edition of the new “Facing Greatness” series is with former two-time Australian Open champion (1981, 1982) Johan Kriek who reveals which two matches were the two best performances ever played against him on a tennis court, during his ATP career which spanned from 1978 to 1994 and included 14 singles titles, a Roland Garros semi (1986), two Wimbledon quarterfinals (1981. 1982) and a U.S. Open semi (1980).
Johan Kriek: “Borg U.S. Open in 1980 (64 64 16 16 16). It was very painful leading Borg two sets-to-love in the 1980 U.S. Open semifinal – after I beat Wojtek (Fibak) in a five-set epic. Then I lost to Borg in five. I was up two sets-to-love. And he came alive. Borg is Borg.”
“And McEnroe in Dallas WCT finals (1981, 16 26 46). McEnroe was always tough to play, whether you win or lose, you know you had to do some work. He forced you invent new shots.”
Bjorn Borg · Johan Kriek · John McEnroe