Rod Laver

Quick Facts

Full Name Rodney George Laver
Birth Date 9 August 1938
Birth Place Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
Residence Carlsbad, California, US
Nickname Rod Laver
Nationality Australian
Sexuality Straight Male
Ethnicity White
Education N/A
Horoscope Leo
Father’s Name Roy Laver
Mother’s Name Melba Laver
Siblings Three Siblings
Age 84 years old
Height 5’8″/ 173 cm
Weight 68 kg
Hair Color Blonde
Eye Color N/A
Married Yes
Wife Mary Laver
Children Rick Laver
Granddaughter: Riley
Past Relationship One
Profession Professional Tennis Player
Net Worth $20 million
Turned Professional 1963
Retired 1979
Style of Play Left-handed (one-handed backhand)
Career Record 1473-407 (78.4%)
Career Titles 200 (72nd)
Highest Ranking 1st (1961)
Hall of Fame Induction 1981
Awards & Achievements
  • Australian Open- 1960, 1962, 1969
  • French Open- 1962, 1969
  • Wimbledon- 1961, 1962, 1968, 1969
  • US Open- 1962, 1969
  • Tennis Hall of Fame
  • Australian Sports Medal
  • MBE Award
  • Companion of the Order of Australia (AC)
  • Rod Laver Arena
Social Media Twitter
Tennis Merch Rod Laver: An AutobiographyAdidas Men’s Shoes
Last Update August, 2022

To be the best, one must surpass everyone else. Rod Laver, who has won 11 Grand Slam titles, is unquestionably one of the greatest tennis players in history. He received the MBE and the AC for his dedication to professionalism, career, and tennis contributions.

Laver is a former Australian tennis player who played for a living. He is also regarded as the best tennis player in history by many commentators and tennis enthusiasts.

In 200, the former No. 1 was also awarded the Australian Sports Medal. Laver has won 200 championships throughout his career.

Laver dominated the 1960s and rivaled players like Ken Rosewall and Pancho Gonzales with a career record of 1,473 wins and 407 defeats.

Rod adapted to living a new life following the death of his wife. Nevertheless, he has discovered love with a unique individual.

Childhood, Family, and Education

Rodney or Rod Laver On August 9, 1938, George Laver was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia. Additionally, Roy Laver and Melba Roffey were his parents when he was born.

He was his parents’ third son.

Laver grew up with three siblings.

On their farm, Roy Laver, his father, worked as a cattleman and butcher. The 9300-hectare farm belonged to the Laver family and was situated in Marlborough, Queensland.

In addition, Dame Nellie Melba inspired the name of Laver’s mother, Melba. From Richmond, Australia, came the legendary opera soprano Dame Nellie Melba GBE.

Mother of Laver, who worked on the farm, was just 5 feet 2 inches tall. She was excellent with cattle, however, and enjoyed riding horses since she liked the outdoors.

Rod has also admitted that his parents were raised on unforgiving ground. His mother and father have so lived difficult lives.

Laver has a unique and deep bond with his mother. Tennis enthusiast Melba Laver herself was a skilled player.

To make sandwiches and snacks for her son, who used to go for junior events, Melba would get up quite early.

Melba and Rod Laver worked together to play a juniors event because they were both skilled players. The mother-son team went on to win the competition handily.

Laver developed into a very skilled tennis player at a very young age. He gave up his studies to focus on a tennis career.

Laver made the right choice, as evidenced by the numerous world championships he went on to win and his successful 24-year tennis career.

In addition, Laver received coaching from tennis great Harry Hopman.

What is the Relationship status of Rod Laver?

Laver began traveling to numerous locations for competitions as his tennis career got going. Laver confessed to meeting a couple girls while he was still a teenager in an interview.

But he never engaged in a committed relationship with any of the women he met. He just called the encounters “a contact.”

Who then did Rod Laver wed? In 1966, Rod Laver wed Mary Benson, his longtime companion and sweetheart.

In addition, he married when he was 28 years old. They are parents to a Rick-named son.

Rod Laver and Mary Laver together.(Source=Instagram)

Mary Benson was a divorcee with three kids prior to their union. She is also an Illinois native.

In California’s San Rafael, they were married. High-profile visitors like Mal Anderson, Roy Emerson, Lew Hoad, and Ken Rosewall were also on the guest list for their wedding.

These tennis players made an archway with their tennis racquets while standing outside so that the couple could pass through.

Mary Benson, who is ten years older than Rod Laver, and he first met at a charity event in Los Angeles. Mary had lovely dark hair, green eyes, and a deep tan, according to Rod.

Likewise, he attributes Mary with making him more vocal. Laver is generally a shy person.

Mary is also the one who first persuaded him to open up. The bond between the couple was close.

Wherever Rod went, Mary was right behind him. Mary also supported commercial and endorsement arrangements.

It makes sense why Mary had such a strong impact on Rod’s life. a fascinating woman who would mesh well with Rod.

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News About Cancer

In 2004, the couple received some sad news. Mary’s health deteriorated starting in 2004 as she started to experience a number of health issues.

Regrettably, Mary first received a breast cancer diagnosis. As a result, she experienced neuropathy and needed to take numerous medications.

Mary Laver passed away at her home in November 2012 after a long life filled with accomplishments and memories. Rod’s wife passed away at the age of 84.

Relationship with Susan Johnson

The legendary Australian is currently dating Susan Johnson. Susan Johnson, a native of Florida, was formerly wed to the head of Nabisco.

In the 1990s and in 2018, they first crossed paths. But the two of them got along when someone didn’t think Susan knew Rod.

The two of them began dating after Susan called Rod to persuade the person.

What is the Physical Measurement of Rod Laver?

Laver was created on August 9th, 1938. He is 84 years old right now. He will also turn 85 on August 9, 2022.

His zodiac sign is Leo because he was born on August 9th. An individual born under the sign of Leo is renowned for their optimism, humor, and sense of humor.

In addition, Laver has a remarkable height of 5 feet, 8 inches. The footballer had an athletic body build and was thin in his prime.

How does he start tennis career?

Rod Laver took up the sport of tennis at an early age. That is to say, Rod Laver first began playing professionally when he was still a teenager. In addition, he continued working for 24 years.

In 1963, Rod Laver started his professional career. He is regarded as one of the best tennis players of all time by many fans and commentators. He is also the greatest tennis player in Australia.

His grand slam victories and career victories attest to his prowess. 1463-407 is Laver’s career record. Additionally, in the Open Era, he has a win rate of 78.4%.

Rod Laver has won 200 championships in his career. In the Open Era, that ranks as the 72nd-most career victories.

In 1961, Rod Laver attained the highest position. Rod Laver has won numerous competitions including grand slam competitions, earning him a total prize money of over $1.5 million.

Career and Rivalry

With the Australian squad, Rod Laver won the Davis Cup in 1962. Like other elite players, he had a fierce competition with Ken Rosewall, Pancho Gonzales, and Lew Hoad.

Hoad and Rosewall often defeated Laver at the start of their rivalry in 1963. Laver eventually rose to become the second-ranked player, though, after taking home six tournament victories.

Similarly, by winning 17 titles in 1965, Laver demonstrated his domination at the top of the international rankings. He was successful in defeating Rosewall in 13 of the 18 games he played that year.

Laver also continued to compete and won 16 events in 1966. Laver won 19 titles before the Open Era started, including the Wimbledon Professional and US Professional.

Open Era

In the Open Era, Laver was successful in accomplishing a historic feat. He accomplished the feat by winning the 1968 Wimbledon Championship for the Open Era.

Additionally, he won by outlasting Australian player Tony Roche.

As a result, Laver was successful in winning all four Grand Slam championships in 1969. Additionally, he won 18 out of the 32 events he competed in, which still holds the record.

Laver is also the only player in Open Era history to win more than $100,000 in a single calendar year.

Grand Slam Wins

Laver has won 11 Grand Slam tournaments. He won Grand Slams in the 1960s. Likewise, the Australian tennis player’s most prosperous decade was the 1960s.

Laver won four Wimbledons, in 1961, 1962, 1968, and 1969. In a same vein, he won the French Open in 1962 and 1969.

The Australian Open was won by Laver three times in 1960, 1962, and 1969. His triumphs at the US Open occurred in 1962 and 1969.

Rod Laver’s Rivalries

One of the finest tennis players in the world and the best Australian is Rod Laver. He had a fierce competition with fellow Australian Roy Emerson, Pancho Gonzalves, and Ken Rosewall.

130 times were fought between the two of them throughout their rivalry with Roy Emerson. Laver also held the advantage in the tie since Rosewall only had 63 victories to his credit whereas Laver had 79 victories.

Laver also competed against Ricardo Gonzales, a tennis player who was much older, several times. Their fixtures have either been recorded as 35-19 or 38-21 in favor, according to two distinct sources.

Laver and fellow Australian Roy Emerson faced off against one another 67 times during their rivalry. Laver, on the other hand, currently holds the advantage after 49 wins. Similar to him, his competitor has 18 triumphs to his credit.

Hall of Fame Induction & Honours

The Tennis Association honored his accomplishments and sporting career by inducting him into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1981. He was also admitted in 1985 to the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.

He is regarded as an Australian Living Treasure by his countrymen. Laver received the Philippe Chartier Award from the ITF, which is its highest honor.

Federer with the Legend.(Source=Instagram)

The National Tennis Centre in Melbourne’s Centre Court was renamed Rod Laver Arena in 2000 as a tribute to his life and legacy.

Laver has also been honored by being added to the Queensland Sport Hall of Fame.

He was also honored by having a bridge between Queensland Tanning Center and Yeerongpilly rail station named in his honor. He also received the Jean Borotra Sportsmanship Award from the International Club in 2016.

Laver has received the MBE as well (Member of the Order of the British Empire.) On the Queen’s birthday honors, he received the award for his contributions to tennis.

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Personal Life

On July 27, 1988, Rod Laver sadly suffered a stroke. He was being interviewed by ESPN-TV when the stroke occurred.

Thankfully, Laver recovered well and received first-rate medical attention.

Meeting Prince William and Kate Middleton

Laver is one of the select few tennis players who has interacted with the British Royal family. In the royal box, he ran into Kate Middleton and Prince William.

In addition, Prince William admitted that Kate is the better player in a conversation between Rod and the prince.

Book

The Golden Era is a book that Rod Laver and fellow author Larry Writer wrote together.

The two decades of Australian supremacy in tennis are covered in the book.

Rod Laver and Roy Emerson’s lives are chronicled in the book, which was released on November 5, 2019. It focuses particularly on Rod’s journey. The book is 722 pages long and is for sale on Amazon.

Rod Laver Shoes

In the 1970s, Rod Laver donned the renowned Adidas footwear. Likewise, Laver played incredibly well thanks to those pairs of shoes. On their website, Adidas offers for sale shoes.

How much Networth does Rod Laver earn ?

Rod played tennis professionally for a time and won 11 Grand Slam tournaments. Additionally, he has earned $1.5 million in career winnings during the Open Era.

Rod has also entered into a number of commercial partnerships and sponsorship agreements.

Rod Laver had a number of homes. He owned homes in Santa Barbara, Corona del Mar, and Rancho Mirage.

Online studies and research indicate that Rod Laver is worth $20 million.

Social Media

Rod Laver does indeed utilize social media. But you can only find him on Twitter. Through his Twitter account, the Australian tennis legend can communicate with his followers all around the world.

Laver tweets less, but the most of what she does is about tennis. His message also includes congratulations and appreciation for some of the best players right now, including Federer and Djokovic.

The following handle will take you to his profile on Twitter.

Twitter user @rodlaver has 37.4k followers.

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