Rod Laver: An autobiography by Rod Laver

Rod Laver: An Autobiography by Rod Laver

For the past four decades, Rod Laver has been considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time. With a total of twenty Grand Slam singles titles, Laver quickly garnered worldwide attention and acclaim during his professional career, which spanned from 1960 to 1977. In his autobiography, Rod Laver recounts his life story—from his beginnings in Australian small towns to his rise to the pinnacle of world tennis.

As a child growing up in rural Bendigo, Australia, Laver’s knowledge of tennis was limited to an occasional television show. Despite this, Laver developed a passion for the game, “starting out with just a tennis racket and a couple of tennis balls I’d picked up somewhere.” By the time he had reached his teenage years, Laver was already a formidable talent. He rapidly improved his skills and began exploring the nascent pro tour of the late 1950s. In order to support the tour, Laver supplemented his playing with coaching, giving lessons to locals.

Laver also learned to manage himself and his expenses wisely. He recounts in his autobiography how at important tournaments, he was able to save money by “staying in private homes or with friends.” His dedication and strategic approach proved successful, as he was able to turn the meager resources he had into a pro career. After competing in big pro events—including the Australian Championships, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Championships—Laver began racking up trophies and titles. By 1960, Laver had won all four Grand Slam singles titles in the same year, a feat known as the Grand Slam.

The rest of Laver’s professional career was spent thrilling and enthralling fans with his talented play and scintillating match performances. His wins included 11 more Grand Slam titles, three consecutive years of winning all four Grand Slam singles titles (from 1962-1964), and Wimbledon titles from 1961, 1962, and 1968. Throughout his career, Laver was described as an irrepressible force on and off the court, blending athleticism and showmanship to create a style of tennis that drew awe and admiration from many.

Laver dedicates a portion of his autobiography to the Pro tour, which flourished from the 1960s to the 1970s. He recounts how the Pro tour grew larger, more popular, and more profitable for players. With the introduction of lucrative sponsorship deals, the Pro tour provided a comfortable lifestyle for players like Laver. Looking back, Laver remembers his career fondly, “It was an amazing time to be a tennis professional.”

In Rod Laver: An Autobiography, Laver recounts his life story and the glorious years of his professional tennis career in detail. His writing is often humorous, reflecting on the idiosyncrasies of the Pro tour and the foolishness of some of the players. Laver’s work is an entertaining and informative read, captivating fans of the game and offering a unique perspective on the golden years of tennis.