Rod Laver celebrates first Grand Slam

He achieved two Grand Slams, won 11 majors and 200 career titles, and lifted the Davis Cup five times, yet tennis great Rod Laver says coming back to see Rod Laver Arena this year has been the “crowning jewel” of his whole career.

Laver, widely acknowledged as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, has returned to ‘his’ stadium at Melbourne Park to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of his first Grand Slam.

The Australian legend’s Grand Slams – capturing all four majors in the same year – came in 1962 and 1969.

“I’ve had a flooding of memories. Just being back here and seeing my name on this is unbelievable. It’s the crowning jewel of my whole career, seeing this stadium lit up,” Laver told a group of enthralled media at Melbourne Park on Wednesday.

The 73-year-old spoke openly about his career, the men’s game today and some of Australia’s big-name players.

Laver rates his 1962 win as the toughest, as he’d had to teach himself to improve on clay courts over the previous years. He had never thought that he might be able to win all four in the same year, he said.

“You don’t start out trying to win the Grand Slam. You're just very happy to play the matches, tournaments.”

Laver made some interesting comparisons between the state of men’s tennis today and the era when he played. He felt the top players were not as dominant as today’s top four, largely because it was amateur.

“It wasn’t as noticeable. It was amateur tennis. We had eight to 10 talented players who could win the tournaments.

“There was no ‘career’. The whole cycle has changed. Tennis has changed – for the good. Tennis is just unbelievable.  What I saw last night, being able to see the winner is going to walk away with $2 million, is great for the sport,” Laver said.

Asked who of Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal would have found it toughest to play in his era with the smaller, wooden racquets, he responded:

“Probably Nadal, only because he puts that heavy spin.  Of course, you've only got a racquet that is six inches wide or seven inches wide.  You're not going to get the whip that he plays [with].

“But I think given Nadal learning the game with the wooden racquet, he'd have his own style.

“Roger has I think more anticipation and timing the ball better.  That's the difference with those two, is that Roger has maybe more anticipation and smooth stroking, whereas Nadal, it was just hitting heavy spins, coming out with that heavy spin that comes off the forehand, gets up so high, which is another tactical ploy of Nadal.”

He explained that largely due to poorer playing services, a serve-and-volley game was more appropriate during the 1960s.

“You let the ball bounce, [and] it might not bounce!”

So, who is he picking to win this year’s tournament? Tough to say, the great said. However, he did note that Federer “looks to be playing confidently”.

Laver also offered his thoughts on the Australian players on the men’s circuit, and he laid praise on some big names.

“Lleyton (Hewitt) has been a great credit to Australian tennis.  He's a fighter.  The Australian public, they like a full effort when they're watching a match.  I think Lleyton pulled off some unbelievable matches in his career, even the other night when he took a set off Djokovic.  No one was thinking that that was possible,” he said.

And discussing whether he thinks Tomic can break into the top ten, Laver was optimistic.

“Bernard Tomic certainly has the potential, I believe.  It's mental makeup.  If he's prepared to put the effort in, learn more about the game, practice and practice and practice, all of a sudden something clicks.  That puts him in another level,” Laver said.

A special edition cap and limited edition framed photos are being sold to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of Laver’s first Grand Slam.