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Tennis icon Borg disclosed he takes life "day by day, one season at a time" following a "highly dangerous" health condition diagnosis.

The 69-year-old made the announcement in the final chapter of his memoir, explaining the illness was "at its most advanced stage" but he would "battle daily like it's a Wimbledon final".

Ex- world number one won eleven Grand Slam titles, among them five consecutive Wimbledons, prior to suddenly stepping away at age 25.

The Swedish star is now remission after an operation in 2024, but described the news as "difficult psychologically".

"I spoke to the doctor and he said this is really, really bad," shared Borg.

"He mentioned you have these dormant illness agents and it's going to be a struggle in the years to come."

"Twice a year I undergo check-ups. I did my last test two weeks ago. It's a reality I have to live with."

Iconic 1980 match called "most satisfying contest I played"

Borg initially held a tennis racket after his dad received it in a table tennis competition.

It was too heavy for the young Borg, leading him to develop his distinctive two-handed stroke.

Borg won 6 French Open titles from 1974 and 1981 and claimed his 5 All England Club titles from 1976 to 1980.

The Wimbledon showdown in 1980 against opponent John McEnroe – when McEnroe saved seven championship points in a near four-hour epic – is seen as among the finest tennis matches of history.

"That match was the most rewarding match I ever played. It was complete," said Borg.

Their rivalry was dubbed Fire and Ice, with McEnroe known for fiery emotional explosions and calm Borg barely showing a flicker of emotion during a match.

McEnroe would eventually end Borg's reign at Wimbledon in the 1981 final and defeat him in the American Open final two months later. Borg retired shortly after the New York defeat.

"We respected each other a lot, all three of us," Borg said of his rivalries with McEnroe and Jimmy Connors.

"We were fighting to be the top player globally. To do that, you can't be best friends."

But now, he said: "We're very good friends, me and John. We see each other, we go out for dinner, we talk about today's tennis."

"We never talk about the old matches."

"I was lost in the world"

The Swede won sixty-six singles titles, spent over two years as world number one and claimed a record 41 successive wins at Wimbledon.

Leaving the sport at twenty-five – a time when tennis players are entering their prime – was a shock.

"I had enough. I lost the interest and the motivation," he said.

"Had I known what was to occur in the following years, I would continue to play tennis."

Through his memoir, titled Heartbeats, written together with his spouse Patricia, the notoriously private Borg discusses his post-playing career struggles.

"I had no plan. Individuals nowadays, they have support. I was adrift," he stated.

"Substance use increased, there was medications, drinking, to escape myself from reality."

"I didn't have to think about it. Of course it's harmful, it destroys you as a human being."

He was admitted following a medical incident in the Italian city in 1989 – an event which caused him to rethink life after tennis.

He came back to the professional circuit from 1991 to 1993 but failed to win a single match.

"I nearly died repeatedly," Borg added.

"I turned things around. I'm content with my life."