Rod Laver
An unmatched legacy
Rod Laver, an iconic figure in tennis history, is renowned for his extraordinary achievements and lasting impact on the sport. His career bridged the amateur and professional eras, and he is undisputedly one of the greatest players of all time.
The year 1962 will always live long in my memory. Knowing I am a part of only a handful of people to achieve the Calendar Grand Slam® is a humbling feeling.
Rod Laver
A career of firsts and records
Rod Laver, affectionately known as “Rocket”, stands alone in tennis history as the only player in the professional era to achieve the calendar Grand Slam®, winning the singles final at the Australian Open, Roland‑Garros, The Championships, Wimbledon, and the US Open in 1969.
He achieved the same feat as an amateur in 1962. In a career filled with unparalleled success, Laver’s dominance extended way beyond the Grand Slam® tournaments as he amassed an astounding 200 singles titles.
The complete player
Rod Laver, an Australian tennis legend from Rockhampton, Queensland, left an indelible mark on the sport that goes far beyond his achievements.
With 11 Grand Slam® singles titles to his name, Laver demonstrated adaptability at the highest level. In the pre-open era, he dominated the professional circuit with six Pro Majors titles, establishing himself as a formidable presence on court. His role in Australia’s Davis Cup triumphs, contributing to five titles, highlighted his team spirit and all-round excellence. Additionally, his record of 31 consecutive singles match victories at Wimbledon stood unchallenged until 1980 when it was eclipsed by fellow Rolex Testimonee Björn Borg, underscoring his sustained success.
Laver’s game was defined by his powerful left-handed serve, agility and strategic prowess. His versatility across all surfaces – grass, clay, hard court, carpet and wood – set him apart, enabling him to achieve the rare “clay court triple” of Paris, Rome and Hamburg in 1962, a feat matched only by countryman Lew Hoad before him.
Laver’s impact on the game has been so profound that even many years after the end of his playing career, he was being honoured. The centre court at Melbourne Park, home to the Australian Open, was renamed Rod Laver Arena in 2000, and the Laver Cup, an annual team tournament inaugurated in 2017, celebrates his contributions to the sport.
Laver was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1981, the same year he started wearing his Rolex Day-Date. “I’ve been wearing this watch since 1981 and to me, it still represents my career and my values. Thinking back through all my life, my tennis career, having a great wife and children – I look at my watch and I’m thinking, ‘Those are the things I will remember’. And those memories are all embodied by my Rolex.”
Rod Laver became a Rolex Testimonee in 2012.