PLAYER PROFILE

Rod Laver

  • Age85
  • Born 9 August 1938
  • Birth PlaceRockhampton, Queensland
  • Playing StatusRetired
  • Australian Tennis Hall Of Fame1993
  • International Tennis Hall Of Fame1981
“It's amazing. It was a thrill just to play in all four tournaments.”

— Rod Laver, 5 Sep 2019

» Laver feted 50 years after his 1969 slam

Grand Slam 1962, 1969

Singles champion
Australian 1960, 1962, 1969
French 1962, 1969
Wimbledon 1961-62, 1968-69
United States 1962, 1969

Doubles champion
Australian 1959-61, 1969
French 1961
Wimbledon 1971

Mixed doubles champion
French 1961
Wimbledon 1959-60

Davis Cup
1958-1962, 1973

Dubbed “Rocket” by legendary Davis Cup captain Harry Hopman, Rod Laver was the second man to complete the Grand Slam in 1962, after American Don Budge in 1938. In 1969, Laver became the only player to win the Grand Slam twice. Ending five years in exile as an outlaw pro, Laver returned to the Grand Slam arena and won the first Open Wimbledon in 1968 and the first Australian Open in 1969. The unassuming Rocket also became the first tennis player to bank $1 million in prize money. A powerful left-hander who sent the ball hurtling over the net laden with topspin, Laver was a driven competitor whose all-court play won him many titles. He dominated the 1960s, winning 17 of his 20 titles in this decade. Laver racked up a formidable 20-4 win-loss record in Davis Cup and was part of five winning teams. In January 2000, centre court at Melbourne Park was named Rod Laver Arena in honour of his achievements.

Rod Laver in the news

Aussies at Wimbledon: “It’s a dream tournament”
Maddison Inglis at the All England Club. Picture: Tennis Australia
26 June, 2022

Stepping through the gates of the All England Club, with its long history and many traditions, is a dream experience for Australians competing at Wimbledon 2022.
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World reacts to Ash Barty’s Australian Open 2022 triumph
Ash Barty with her AO 2022 title. Picture: Getty Images
30 January, 2022

Ash Barty's incredible Australian Open 2022 triumph has made an impact around the world.
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Kyrgios to represent Team World at Laver Cup
Nick Kyrgios at the Laver Cup in Geneva in 2019. Picture: Getty Images
20 August, 2021

Australia's Nick Kyrgios is set to compete at the Laver Cup for the fourth time in his career.
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60 years on: Celebrating Rod Laver’s Wimbledon breakthrough
Rod Laver claimed a first Wimbledon singles title in 1961; Getty Images
8 July, 2021

It’s sixty years since Rod Laver took a significant first step on an historic Grand Slam journey with a first singles title at the All England Club.
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