Possibly the greatest tennis player of all time. Winner of two Grand Slams, one Pro Slam and at least 199 tournaments, winner of 11 major titles. The amount of major titles probably would have been far more if he was not banned from playing in the majors from 1963 to 1967 and part of 1968 because he turned professional. Truly a legend in his own time. Laver won the amateur Grand Slam in 1962 and then turned pro in 1963. Turning pro prevented him from entered the prestigious major tournaments for five years. Laver played in the powerful Pro Tour in those years, winning eight Pro Majors in those years including the Pro Grand Slam in 1967 which consisted of the French Pro, Wembley Pro and the US Professional Championships. If you included the Pro Majors, Laver has won a total of 19 total majors in his unparalleled career.
One of five players to date to win a calendar-year Grand Slam (Don Budge , Maureen Connolly , Margaret Court , and Steffi Graf ). Only player to win a calendar-year Grand Slam twice (1962, 1969).
Only living person to have a Grand Slam arena named after him, Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne where the Australian Open is played each year.
When you have the opportunity, you strike. .
