A Swedish television documentary on Bjorn Borg aired last night revealed that the star only played in the Davis Cup in 1978 and 1979 after he was paid $220,000.

Borg, six-time French Open champion and five-time Wimbledon winner, initially collaborated with the producers of The Saga of Bjorn Borg, but pulled out after he realised the programme would discuss controversial aspects of his career, including his financial woes.

Sweden won the Davis Cup in 1975, but Borg refused to play for Sweden the following year. In 1977, he threatened to boycott the event, officially because of his dissatisfaction with the Swedish press. According to the documentary, Borg refused to play for nothing, like the rest of the team. The Swedish Tennis Federation was forced to pay Borg $100,000 in 1978 and $120,000 dollars in 1979.

"It was necessary to have Bjorn in the Davis Cup matches. Public opinion demanded it," then Swedish Tennis Federation chairman and financial tycoon Peter Wallenberg told the documentary.

British number two and fifth seed Tim Henman safely came through his first round match at the Qatar Mobil Open yesterday, beating Spaniard Javier Sanchez 7-5 6-1.