Laver, Rod

Laver, Rod (Rodney George Laver) (lā`vər), 1938–, Australian tennis player. He left school at age 15 to pursue tennis and in 1962 became the first male grand-slam winner in tennis since Don Budge in 1938. Noted for his extraordinarily powerful serve, Laver turned professional in 1962. He won the grand slam again in 1969, the only person ever to do so twice. In 1971 he became the first professional tennis player to pass the $1 million mark in total earnings.

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Laver, Rod(ney George)

(born Aug. 9, 1938, Rockhampton, Queen., Austl.) Australian tennis player. He joined Australia's Davis Cup team when he was 18 years old and remained on the squad until 1962. Nicknamed “Rocket,” he became the second male player (after Don Budge) to win the grand slam (1962) and the first to repeat the feat (1969). He turned professional in 1963 and in 1971 became the first tennis player to surpass $1 million in career prize money.