Rod Laver MBE (b. 1938), tennis champion, is the only player in the history of the game to win the Grand Slam twice. Born in Rockhampton, the small and slight left-hander began training with Harry Hopman as a teenager. He made his first trip overseas in 1956, winning the US Junior Championship at 17. As a Wimbledon finalist six straight times, he won in 1961 and 1962, coming back to win again in 1968 and 1969. Laver played Davis Cup for Australia every year from 1958 to 1962, when he turned professional, and played on the team again in 1973, when the competition was opened to professionals for the first time. 'Rocket' Rod is universally considered one of the all-time great tennis players. The arena at the Melbourne Tennis Centre is named in his honour, and Adidas released a namesake tennis shoe, which has recently been re-issued. Laver's publications include How to Play Winning Tennis (1964) and Education of a Tennis Player (1971).
