Rod Laver
✓ Source-basedrisingAustralian tennis player
He won the calendar Grand Slam twice - once as an amateur in 1962, then again in 1969 after tennis went Open, a feat no other man has matched in the professional era. The main court in Melbourne carries his name for a reason.
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Photos 7
Rod Laver at Noordwijk in 1964
Laver during the Top Tennis Tournament in Amsterdam in May 1969
Rod Laver at the 1976 ABN World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam
Laver reaches for a backhand volley against Jovanović during their singles semifinal match in the 1962 Italian Open.
Bust of Laver at the Pat Rafter Arena, in Queensland.
Sculpture depicting Rod Laver outside the Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne.Teams 1
Awards 8
Connected to Rod 6
Niki LaudaAlso won BBC World Sport Star of the Year
Evonne Goolagong CawleyAlso won Australian National Living Treasure
Margaret CourtAlso won Australian Tennis Hall of Fame
Justine HeninAlso won Philippe Chatrier Award
Arantxa Sánchez VicarioAlso won Philippe Chatrier Award
Armand DuplantisAlso won BBC World Sport Star of the YearAbout this person
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.
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