The sport of tennis is chock full of stars and mega stars. Most burn out before their late 20s, but for the lucky few, their name will live on forever. Born June 6, 1956 in Sodertalje, Sweden, Bjorn Borg, known affectionately as the Ice Man, is undoubtedly one of those lucky few.

Borg's story isn't at all unlike many other athletes. As a young child, he fell in love with a golden tennis racquet that his father procured as a prize. Later on in life, Bjorn's father gave him that racquet he so much admired, and thus began a tennis career.

Borg was a very good tennis player, well accomplished by the age of 12. Then at the age of 14, Borg left school and devoted his entire time to the sport. At only 15 years of age, this move paid off as Borg was selected to participate in the Swedish Davis Cup.

Borg immediately proved that he had what it took to become a star tennis player. When he was 16, Borg entered the Wimbledon Juniors competition. He won the tournament easily and his legacy began to grow.

In 1976, graduating from the Juniors and focusing on the real tournament, a 20-year-old Borg won the Wimbledon singles title. To prove to people that this wasn't a fluke, Borg's training regimens became famous.

It all would pay off as Bjorn secured more Wimbledon titles, holding the top spot from 1976 to 1980, winning five in a row. Going for an unprecedented sixth Wimbledon title, Borg ran into his future rival, John McEnroe, in 1981, losing one of the greatest matches tennis had ever seen.

Wimbledon wasn't his only conquest during these years. Borg, though never playing well on US soil, blazed the European circuit in his heyday, winning the French Open an ultra-impressive six times: 1974, 1975, 1978-1981. This era in tennis will forever be known as the “Borg Years,” especially in Europe, and particularly in Sweden, Borg's home.

Borg would make it to the final match in the US Open four times; he just never got over the hump. Adding a bit of mystery to the mystique, Borg refused to enter the Australian Open over the duration of his professional career. Many have speculated why, but Borg, never one to be outspoken, doesn't cite reasons.

As far as tennis fans are concerned, the Australian Open wasn't a big enough prize to draw his attention. Instead, his efforts were focused on the crème de la crème of tennis, Wimbledon, and busting down the hurdles of the US Open.

Bjorn Borg won an impressive 11 singles championships over the course of his career, leaving him only one behind Roy Emerson's 12. Some speculate that Borg's career was cut short due to his ongoing rivalry with an equally talented John McEnroe. The two played many matches against each other, all of which were definite classics.

Borg retired from tennis at only 27 years old. He attempted to come back in 1991, but after little success, he called it quits again. Throughout his career, Borg was best known for his baseline play, array of impressive shots, and a cool demeanor on the court.