Rod Laver

Lore & Background

Laver won 11 major singles titles and 8 Pro major titles. He won the Grand Slam in singles twice, in 1962 and 1969; the latter remains the only time a man has done so in the Open Era. He also completed the Pro Slam in 1967. Laver is the only player in tennis history to have won titles on all court surfaces of his time (grass, clay, hard, carpet, wood), and he contributed to five Davis Cup titles for Australia. The Rod Laver Arena and the Laver Cup are named after him.

In Their Own Story

The rain had finally stopped at Forest Hills, leaving the grass slick under the fading autumn sun. Rod Laver stood at the baseline, the weight of history pressing against his shoulders more than the humidity. He bounced the ball once, twice, feeling the familiar grip of his wooden racket. Across the net, Ken Rosewall waited, a smile playing on his lips, knowing that if Laver won this set, he would complete a feat no one had ever done in the Open Era: winning all four majors in a single year. The crowd was silent, a collective breath held in the stands. Laver tossed the ball high, his motion fluid and practiced. The serve cracked through the air, a heavy topspin that kicked up from the wet grass, forcing an error. He didn't celebrate; he simply walked to the back line, ready for the next point, knowing the record was within reach but the match was not won until the final stroke.

Reader's Guide

Laver's 1969 Grand Slam was achieved on grass, clay, and grass (the US Open was on grass in 1969). He won 18 of 32 singles tournaments he entered that year, still the Open Era titles record.

Did You Know?

• Laver won the Grand Slam twice, in 1962 and 1969.
• He won 200 singles titles, the most by any tennis player.
• Laver is the only player to have won titles on grass, clay, hard, carpet, and wood courts.
• The 1969 US Open was played on grass, not hard courts.