Bjorn Borg's Barcelona Open ceremony 'cancelled' days after son sent home

Bjorn Borg’s planned ceremony at the Barcelona Open has reportedly been cancelled after the tennis icon suddenly decided to leave the city. A two-time former champion at the ATP 500 event, Borg was set to receive the tournament’s new off-court ‘Fuera Pista’ award and take part in a presentation to mark the 50-year anniversary of his first title here.

The 11-time Major winner arrived in Barcelona over the weekend to watch his 21-year-old son Leo play his first-round qualifying match after receiving a wildcard. The younger Borg suffered a 7-5 7-6(1) to British No. 2 Jacob Fearnley with his dad watching on in the stands.

During his time at the event, Borg also enjoyed a reunion with some of his former Laver Cup Team Europe players, appearing in photos with Carlos Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

The tournament was set to commemorate Borg’s 1975 triumph in a special presentation on Tuesday, but this has now been scrapped after he decided to leave Barcelona altogether.

According to Spanish tennis journalist Fernando Murciego, Borg ‘brought forward his departure from Barcelona’ and the tribute marking the 50th anniversary of his first Barcelona Open title will not take place.

Borg discussed his accolade on Monday, a day before his sudden departure, and explained why he had returned to the ATP 500 event.

“My son was playing in the qualifying round. And for me, this tournament has meant a lot in my life,” he told Mundo Deportivo.

“I came here for the first time when I was a junior, 14 years old. I came here and played, and then I played in major tournaments many times. This is a big tournament, not just for Spaniards, but for all European players. It means a lot. And if you win, it means even more.”

Sharing his memories of the tournament, the 68-year-old added: “The first time I came here, as a junior, I didn't do so well. And then I had to play against Orantes many times. He beat me at first, but then I beat him.

“The Spanish have always had good players. Santana, Gimeno, Orantes, and all the rest. I love Spain. The things they do here for tennis are important for me to come here. It was very important to play there and win.”

Borg’s son Leo was unable to repeat his heroics at the tournament. The world No. 496 got a wildcard into the qualifying draw but lost his opening match to Fearnley in two close sets.

His dad watched from the front row of the Andres Gimeno court but it was a tournament debut to forget for the 21-year-old.

The match marked Fearnley’s first professional victory on the clay, and the Scotsman went on to reach the main draw as a lucky loser, beating Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena.