Rod Laver is arguably Australia's biggest tennis name in history.
The tennis great is littered with Grand Slam wins (both singles and doubles) and holds records that still last today.
As the years roll on, tennis fans have quickly realised how dominant he was and what he contributed to this worldwide game.
Laver has an arena - Rod Laver Arena - and a men's tournament (Laver Cup) named in his honour.
And at age 84, he still receives recognition for the work and performances he put together over 60 years ago.
The life of Rod Laver
Born in 1938 in Rockhampton, Queensland, Laver's career began in 1956 when he was just 18.
The Australian left school in 1953 to pursue his dream of becoming a professional tennis player and it paid dividends.
Laver - who was nicknamed 'Rocket' by Harry Hopman - made an immediate impact in his juniors, taking out the Australian and US Junior Championship in 1956.
In 1957, Laver spent a year serving in the Australian Army, which helped grow his physical strength.
His breakthrough on the world stage came in 1959, where he made all three finals at Wimbledon, winning the mixed doubles.
Laver was also a part of the Australian Davis Cup team that defeated the US (in 1959).
Laver's first major singles title was the Australian Championships in 1960 where he defeated fellow Aussie Neale Fraser in five sets.
Laver also recorded one of the shortest men's singles Wimbledon finals (53 minutes) when he won in 1961.
In 1962, the then 24-year-old became the first male player since Don Budge - the same year he was born, 1938 - to win all four Grand Slam singles titles in one calendar year.
He added another 18 titles in that same tennis season, totalling an impressive 22 all up.
On the eve of 1963, Laver turned professional after winning the Davis Cup with Australia.
Between 1964 and 1969, Laver won five of the six U.S. Pro Tennis Championships, adding to the rising reputation of his stardom.
In 1965, most understood that Laver was the no.1 tennis player in the world and was dominant leading into the Open Era (1968 onwards).
When 1969 rolled around, the Australian put together another 'Grand Slam', winning all four major Grand Slam tournaments in the same year.
Laver managed to keep up his incredible form until 1976, where he semi-retired from the main tour and officially put down the racquet in 1979.
By 1985, Laver was inducted to the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and was classified as an Australian National Living Treasure. He was also honoured as a Member of Order of the British Empire (MBE).
In January of 2000, the Centre Court at Melbourne Park was renamed Rod Laver Arena.
The Laver Cup - which was also named after Rod - was founded in 2017 as another tournament that attracts tennis' biggest names.
Major Singles Titles
| Grand Slam | No. of Wins | Year |
| Australian Open | 3 | 1960, 1962, 1969 |
| French Open | 2 | 1962, 1969 |
| Wimbledon | 4 | 1961, 1962, 1968, 1969 |
| US Open | 2 | 1962, 1969 |
Major Doubles Titles
| Grand Slam | No. of Wins | Year |
| Australian Open | 3 | 1959, 1961, 1969 |
| French Open | 4 | 1961, 1961 (MD), 1968, 1969 |
| Wimbledon | 4 | 1959, 1959 (MD), 1960 (MD), 1971 |
| US Open | 3 | 1960, 1970, 1973 |
*MD = Mixed Doubles
Career Highlights
- Sixth in all time Major Titles
- 20-time Major Champion, 14-time finalist
- 771-212 overall record (536-135 singles; 235-77 doubles)
- Only player to win the Grand Slam (all four tournaments) twice
- Reached 14 consecutive Major finals (1964-1968)
