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Univ. of Wisconsin, Whitewater Team Page

Borg just “one of the guys” on the Wisconsin-Whitewater men’s tennis team

Robin Borg has made a big impression since arriving at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in January.  The 21-year-old native of Sweden is seeking a degree in marketing after selecting UW-Whitewater from a number of small colleges across the U.S. due to the national reputation of the university’s business school.

“It has been two-and-a-half years since I was in high school in Sweden,” Borg said. “I was scheduled to attend the University of Alabama on a tennis scholarship following his high school days at a Swedish tennis academy. At the last minute I changed my mind and chose to stay home in Sweden and work for a while prior to furthering my education.”

Robin’s father just happens to be tennis legend Bjorn Borg, who retired from professional tennis at the age of 27 after winning five Wimbledon championships.

“My primary reason for coming to the United States is to receive a college education and to play tennis,” Borg said. “I’m certainly not here for the notoriety. I have no interest in playing professional tennis. I want to earn my degree and hopefully start my own business.”

“He really does not want to make his father an issue,” UW-Whitewater tennis coach Frank Barnes said. “He answers questions about him and what it was like growing up, but he wants to be his own person and tennis player.”

“I view my parents, not as famous people, but as just mom and dad,” Borg said. “I am very proud of them both.”

“He also does not want being the son of a famous tennis player the reason that people hang around with him,” Barnes said.  “He is a great guy, a tremendous player, and you would never know he grew up in special circumstances if someone didn’t tell you. He is a genuinely great guy.”

“Prior to arriving in America I worried about how I would be accepted by the team,” Borg said. “From the day I arrived I have felt as though I am one of the guys. I feel I am just ‘Robin Borg,’ not ‘the son of Bjorn Borg,’ and that is very important to me.”

Borg has opened his college tennis career with an 8-0 mark as the Warhawks’ No. 1 singles player.  He is a member of a team that is 9-0 on the season and has won 19 consecutive dual matches dating back to March 28, 2006.

NCAA III tennis is high-quality tennis, according to Borg.

“Playing No. 1 singles means that you play a very strong opponent each match,” Borg said. “I have been playing really good players and if you don’t play well you are not going to win.”

Borg features a thunderous serve at 130 miles per hour and powerful ground strokes. “He is in the process of developing consistency in his game and we hope he’ll be considered one of the top NCAA III players in the country when the new rankings come out,” Barnes said.

Despite being a freshman, Borg has hopes including qualifying for the NCAA tournament both in singles and doubles with his sophomore partner Alex Lowe.

“Helping the Warhawks to qualify for the NCAA tournament for the first time in school history also tops my goals,” Borg said.

“Robin is very modest, and first and foremost is all about the team,” Barnes said. “Having a player like Robin in our program is great for the team. He has elevated the level of play here for everyone. We are all very glad to have him.”