Tennis Legend Björn Borg Reveals He Has Prostate Cancer in Upcoming Memoir

Tennis legend Björn Borg reveals he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in his upcoming autobiography, Heartbeats.

In the new memoir, on shelves in the U.S. on Sept. 23, PEOPLE can confirm that Borg, 69, writes about his diagnosis in the book. The five-time Wimbledon winner shares that he underwent surgery to have his prostate removed because the cancer had advanced.

Additional details about the type of cancer Borg has were not made available in the book, which was written with the help of his wife Patricia and will be released in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and select other countries.

Heartbeats is touted as a “candid memoir” that offers fans a “look behind the curtain” at Borg’s storied tennis career, going back to his start at just 15 years old. The book will cover his many achievements, including eleven Grand Slam titles and five Wimbledon wins before he announced his retirement at the age of 26.

“After all these years of silence, Borg is ready to share everything,” the book’s publisher Simon & Schuster promises, noting that Borg “explains his shock retirement” in the memoir.

Borg’s well-known rivalry with John McEnroe will also be explored in Heartbeats, including their matchup in the 1980 Wimbledon final. “Borg writes candidly about his childhood, his early stardom, and his uncomfortable relationship with fame, alongside all the highs and lows of his unmatched career,” the book’s website says.

Borg rarely gives interviews, but in a 2024 conversation with The Athletic, he said he was “very happy as a player, but the motivation was not there,” leading to his retirement.

“If you don’t have the motivation to practice and compete every day, you can’t focus on what you do and what you need to do. I was happy, but I had no motivation and no focus,” he said, adding, “When I came back briefly, that was a different story. I’m writing a book. I’m going to tell everyone all about it next year.”