Rod Laver

Rod Laver is a retired professional tennis player from Australia ranked number one in the world between 1962 - 1970.

Fast Facts

1. Birth-name: Rodney George "Rod" Laver
2. Born: August 9, 1938, in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
3. Nickname: The Rocket
4. Now Resides: Carlsbad, California
5. Height: 5'8"
6. Plays: Left-handed
7. Turned Pro: 1962
8. Career Winnings: U.S. $1,564,213.00
9. Retired: 1979

Humble Beginnings

Born in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia in 1938, he decided to leave school early to pursue his career as a tennis player. Between the years of 1959 - 1962, Laver played and helped Australia with the Davis Cup during his amateur years. Won his first major singles title in 1960 during the Australian Open. Wimbledon singles win came in 1961 and his Tennis Grand Slam in 1962. Grand Slam events were only open to amateur players at the time. During his amateur career he won 21 single titles.

Professional and the Open Era

Laver turned pro after his Grand Slam win. During the next seven years he won the U.S. Professional Singles Championship five times with four being in a row from 1966 - 1969. Laver was small in build but was flamboyant on the court. The Open Era came in play in 1968, allowing professional players to play in Grand Slams. Laver won Wimbledon and was the first Open Era Champ. 1969 was an incredible year for Laver, winning his second Grand Slam. He went on to win 17 of 32 single tournaments, compiling a 106 - 16 win-loss record. Laver won 31 consecutive match victories between 1961 - 1970 at Wimbledon, including eight Grand Slam Doubles titles. Laver not only was ranked the number one player in the world between 1962 - 1970 but was the first tennis player to surpass the Million Dollars in total prize money with a tournament win and record payout of $292,717.00 in 1971. Adidas made and named a shoe after Laver in 1970, which are still sold today. Laver had a record 45 open titles after he turned 30 years old

Retirement

When Laver decided to retire in 1974 he was still ranked in the top 10 tennis players. 1981, Laver was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. During an interview with ESPN he suffered a major stroke. His physical strength and years of playing tennis, played a major role in helping him recover. 2002 came a big honor for him when the Melbourne Park which hosted the Australian Open was renamed to the Rod Laver Arena. Laver along with fellow Australian tennis player Margaret Court were honored with a postage stamp with their portrait by the "Australia Post Australian Legends Award." Laver is enjoying his retirement in Carlsbad, California

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