Rod Laver

Rodney George Laver was born 9 August 1938 in Australia and rose through the amateur ranks to become world number 1 in 1961 and 1962. After sweeping all four majors in 1962, he turned professional and spent the mid-1960s dominating a separate pro circuit, ranked indisputably number 1 from 1965 to 1969 and completing the Pro Slam in 1967. When the Open Era arrived in 1968, he proved the point again: in 1969 he took all four majors a second time, the only man to do it in the open professional game. Across both worlds he won 200 singles titles and 11 major singles crowns, played on every surface of his time - grass, clay, hard, carpet, wood - and helped Australia to five Davis Cup titles. The Rod Laver Arena and the Laver Cup now carry forward a name that spent a decade at the top of the sport.