Rod Laver is held in the same esteem as Don Bradman here in Australia. Possibly our most admired athlete of all time. The epitome of sportsmanship and a gentleman. Love seeing him at the slams every year. Fed, Nadal and Djoker would all be chasing his 20 plus grand slam titles if he was allowed to play grand slams between 63 and 67
In '69 I was attending Ransom school in Coconut Grove. Our top scholarship player was being smoked by Harold Solomon, fresh from his Orange Bowl victory. A couple of months prior Rod had won his 2nd Grand. I was gobsmacked to imagine the levels above them was Laver.
he can't be goat but he is the most influential player. Basically nadal and djokovic would have done the same (especially Djokovic) if you didnt have Nadal who won 14 fucking times French open, that is the beauty of modern era with big 3, they would break every single record if there was not othe two
@@johnholmes912 By the same token, Federer couldn’t have come close to making most of the shots that his fans love so much if he had to play with a 65-square-inch wooden Maxply strung with gut. He would’ve been like Nastase.
With all the debate over who is the greatest, so many overlook Laver simply because of their ignorance over his dominance on the pro tour during his "wilderness years" between calendar Grand Slams. His win/loss stats suggest that he likely would have won about 20 Slams had the authorities allowed it.
Agreed. The problem with modern analysis of Laver's G.O.A.T. standing is the utter disregard for his professional record. He won 8 professional major tournaments. The players in these tournaments were distinctly better than their amateur counterparts - - a fact Laver demonstrated in 1969 with his open era "grand slam." If counted, as they should be, it would result in increasing his major record count to 19, with two more calendar grand slams to recognize [ U.S. Pro, Wembly Pro, and French Pro (also Wimbledon Pro added in 1967)].
@@brucebutler2746 Indeed. The inconsistency over this matter is amazing. They won't count the amateurs because they weren't playing the pros, and they won't count the pros because ... err, ... BJK for example keeps mentioning Margaret Court's amateur dominance in the Australian Championships, but she turned up plenty of times herself to try to win it, and did so once. Do we subtract that one from BJK?
Although I started playing tennis in the 1970s, I rather thought that Laver could never hold up to the players of today. But through the magic of RUclips I have been able to watch some of Rod’s matches. He is truly a remarkable, uncommonly beautiful tennis player. If he came up today, he’d still be the best.
So true. And given that he won all four grand slams in one year before and after the Pro ban, imagine how many he would have won during the years when he couldn't compete...
I saw him play only in his later years, from 1968 on. As an avid tennis fan, who's seen them all, he remains the best player I've seen, and unlike today's crop, he played doubles, too, and very well. Apart from his tennis glory, Laver is a very nice, down to earth and humble man. A true role model, whether you're a tennis player or not.
My Dad took me to see Rod Laver play against John Newcombe, at White City. NSW Open , Laver Won in straight sets. I was Sooo Excited. Great Experience for a young bloke ( Thanks Dad ) 🙂
Some years ago a well respected tennis commentator was asked to name his best player , his reply was if playing for the world ,Pancho,if playing for the Universe, Hoad ,not far wrong,anybody who could beat Laver 13 straight times is very,very special. It is quite easy to imagine with 6 extra years of Open competition at his peak Lavers Open record would be unreachable.
Consider that he also played the heart of his career with a repurposed tree branch , sheep gut for strings and cowhide for a grip. Try that combo for five sets in 100 deg heat and high humidity . GOAT , Rodney George Laver is on the list for more 50 years....That's pretty great.
It takes a great player to win one of the big 4 tournaments. To win the Grand Slam, all 4 in 1 year is an amazing achievement. Laver did it twice. No other male player has achieved that.
@@soulripper31 Against the best in the world. Like starting Wimbledon in the round of 16. No joke. And the amateur championships didn't have draws of 128 either then.
He was actually called the Rocket ironically by Harry Hopman, who watched him play when Rod was 12 yrs old, and was not particularly impressed, especially not by his speed and size, so Hopman called him the Rockhampton Rocket as a joke.
Rod Laver is the only GOAT. Such a complete player and a complete gentleman. Roger is right behind him, then Bjorn. Had Bjorn not retired at 26 and played into his early 30's, he may have 20+ Grand Slams. Obviously, Rod's record as an amateur and pro are untouchable.
Are you delusional, dude? Roger is right behind him?! really?! Roger is probably 4th because he is definitely not better than Djokovic or Nadal. If Roger was really behind Rod Laver as a complete player, he should have beaten Nadal at least once at Roland Garros, but that did not happen. Novak did it and beat Nadal at Roland Garros, just as Nadal beat Roger at Wimbledon. Roger Federer is No. 3 behind Djoko and Nadal
He’s mentioned, as Laver was/is an influence on him. This is a video on Laver not Nadal. When it comes to influence the ‘Big 3’ will need to wait several years/decades before their ‘influence’ is fully understood.
How many did you win, @flash? 8 other GS titles not on clay is still more than many other tennis greats won. Sports experts round the world, not just tennis experts, have said Nadal's 14 RG titles are the greatest achievement in ANY sport.
Tilden was decades before Laver's time, and I have never heard Laver, or anyone else, mention Tilden as an influence on his game. Tilden played flat drives mostly, though he was very versatile, and played more from the backcourt. Laver used topspin when it was still not as common as it is today, and served and volleyed, which Tilden certainly didn't do as much.
Rod Laver is held in the same esteem as Don Bradman here in Australia. Possibly our most admired athlete of all time.
The epitome of sportsmanship and a gentleman. Love seeing him at the slams every year.
Fed, Nadal and Djoker would all be chasing his 20 plus grand slam titles if he was allowed to play grand slams between 63 and 67
My Dad took me to see Rod Laver and Pancho Gonzalez play an exhibition match in Miami. I'll never forget it.
In '69 I was attending Ransom school in Coconut Grove.
Our top scholarship player was being smoked by Harold Solomon, fresh from his Orange Bowl victory.
A couple of months prior Rod had won his 2nd Grand. I was gobsmacked to imagine the levels above them was Laver.
Laver THE GOAT undoubtedly. No one else has won four majors in a calendar year, TWICE!
he can't be goat but he is the most influential player. Basically nadal and djokovic would have done the same (especially Djokovic) if you didnt have Nadal who won 14 fucking times French open, that is the beauty of modern era with big 3, they would break every single record if there was not othe two
@@miloraddjurdjic1695 Djokovic hasn't got the technique to play with wooden rackets on a fast grass court, he wouldn't have made the top 10
@@miloraddjurdjic1695No one can be the GOAT, since they didn’t play each other.
@@zelmoziggy three of the best players in the history played each other
@@johnholmes912 By the same token, Federer couldn’t have come close to making most of the shots that his fans love so much if he had to play with a 65-square-inch wooden Maxply strung with gut. He would’ve been like Nastase.
With all the debate over who is the greatest, so many overlook Laver simply because of their ignorance over his dominance on the pro tour during his "wilderness years" between calendar Grand Slams. His win/loss stats suggest that he likely would have won about 20 Slams had the authorities allowed it.
King oath
Agreed. The problem with modern analysis of Laver's G.O.A.T. standing is the utter disregard for his professional record. He won 8 professional major tournaments. The players in these tournaments were distinctly better than their amateur counterparts - - a fact Laver demonstrated in 1969 with his open era "grand slam." If counted, as they should be, it would result in increasing his major record count to 19, with two more calendar grand slams to recognize [ U.S. Pro, Wembly Pro, and French Pro (also Wimbledon Pro added in 1967)].
Even more overlook Bill Tilden.
@@brucebutler2746 Indeed. The inconsistency over this matter is amazing. They won't count the amateurs because they weren't playing the pros, and they won't count the pros because ... err, ... BJK for example keeps mentioning Margaret Court's amateur dominance in the Australian Championships, but she turned up plenty of times herself to try to win it, and did so once. Do we subtract that one from BJK?
@@zelmoziggy And Vines, Perry, Budge, Kramer, Gonzales, ...
Although I started playing tennis in the 1970s, I rather thought that Laver could never hold up to the players of today. But through the magic of RUclips I have been able to watch some of Rod’s matches. He is truly a remarkable, uncommonly beautiful tennis player. If he came up today, he’d still be the best.
So true. And given that he won all four grand slams in one year before and after the Pro ban, imagine how many he would have won during the years when he couldn't compete...
A simply wonderful player- saw him play
I saw him play only in his later years, from 1968 on. As an avid tennis fan, who's seen them all, he remains the best player I've seen, and unlike today's crop, he played doubles, too, and very well.
Apart from his tennis glory, Laver is a very nice, down to earth and humble man. A true role model, whether you're a tennis player or not.
What a tremendous video! Thank you so much for this, long live Rod Laver!
Always. Forever.
My Dad took me to see Rod Laver play against John Newcombe, at White City. NSW Open ,
Laver Won in straight sets. I was Sooo Excited. Great Experience for a young bloke ( Thanks Dad ) 🙂
Some years ago a well respected tennis commentator was asked to name his best player , his reply was if playing for the world ,Pancho,if playing for the Universe, Hoad ,not far wrong,anybody who could beat Laver 13 straight times is very,very special. It is quite easy to imagine with 6 extra years of Open competition at his peak Lavers Open record would be unreachable.
Doing commentary at Wimbledon few years ago, McEnroe interviewed Rod and
threw out the number 25.
Rod Laver, the greatest tennis 🎾 .
The true GOAT
Consider that he also played the heart of his career with a repurposed tree branch , sheep gut for strings and cowhide for a grip. Try that combo for five sets in 100 deg heat and high humidity . GOAT , Rodney George Laver is on the list for more 50 years....That's pretty great.
The best person and the biggest tennis legend.
Whoa, did not know Laver was such a figure wow!
Definitely the GOAT!!
Rod, Margaret Court, Don Bradman, Geoff Hunt, top Aussies and world champions, great role models for all aspiring sportspeople.
Heather Mckay - don't forget her, only beaten twice in her competitive career which spanned 20 odd years.
@@marknorris1381 You're right Mark, Heather was one of the greatest Aussie sports people also, how could I forget her dominance.........cheers!!
@stevehuges1510 still wonder how a country of population only 2.5 crores produced so many champion player in many sports really sporting nation
@@akbaridhaval7056 What country is that.
@@akbaridhaval7056use 25 million, crores and lakhs are only understood in India, they aren't international.
It takes a great player to win one of the big 4 tournaments. To win the Grand Slam, all 4 in 1 year is an amazing achievement. Laver did it twice. No other male player has achieved that.
GOAT.....
I kinda wish the pro slams counted as official grand slams, because 5 grand slams in the open era doesnt represent his talent
In Pro Slams you only had to play 4 or often only 3 matches. You cannot compare it to Grand Slams.
@@soulripper31 Against the best in the world. Like starting Wimbledon in the round of 16. No joke. And the amateur championships didn't have draws of 128 either then.
Feel like Nadal should have had a mention at greatest too... might be biased though
True. Any talk about the greatest without the beast Rafa Nadal is incomplete.
Yes any talk of greatest should mention the big 3 . Quite weird this guy
Rosewall was probably better
He was actually called the Rocket ironically by Harry Hopman, who watched him play when Rod was 12 yrs old, and was not particularly impressed, especially not by his speed and size, so Hopman called him the Rockhampton Rocket as a joke.
He was actually called The Red Rocket due to his hair colouring and freckled complexion.
Rod Laver is the only GOAT. Such a complete player and a complete gentleman. Roger is right behind him, then Bjorn. Had Bjorn not retired at 26 and played into his early 30's, he may have 20+ Grand Slams. Obviously, Rod's record as an amateur and pro are untouchable.
Are you delusional, dude? Roger is right behind him?! really?! Roger is probably 4th because he is definitely not better than Djokovic or Nadal. If Roger was really behind Rod Laver as a complete player, he should have beaten Nadal at least once at Roland Garros, but that did not happen. Novak did it and beat Nadal at Roland Garros, just as Nadal beat Roger at Wimbledon. Roger Federer is No. 3 behind Djoko and Nadal
@@MalekAhmed-kz3zu I said what I said.
Because he is the GOAT
Actually it was Rod Laver won the most trophies: 200, not the others you mentioned.
Two Grand Slams - The Rocket was #1
I like Pete Sampras
All those years between the amateur and open era when he could not play in the well known tournaments.
The only other person to win all 4 in a calendar year was don budge in 1938
Got the nickname wrong.
How did u take that novak djokovic 's name in greatest and not take rafa's name
Nadal left the chat.
Where's Nadal?
He’s mentioned, as Laver was/is an influence on him. This is a video on Laver not Nadal. When it comes to influence the ‘Big 3’ will need to wait several years/decades before their ‘influence’ is fully understood.
Rip nadal not included
Rafael Nadal wins only Roland Garros French Open clay court. He is not a perfect. He won 14 Roland Garros French Open and 8 other grand slams.
How many did you win, @flash? 8 other GS titles not on clay is still more than many other tennis greats won. Sports experts round the world, not just tennis experts, have said Nadal's 14 RG titles are the greatest achievement in ANY sport.
At
Laver ain't all that. I'm 70 and I'm sure I could take him, maybe. . . .
Nope. Bjorn Borg was. He brought tennis to a wide and young public. Others, Lendl znd and Federer
Rafael Nadal- 0% Adaptability and 0% Versatility.
The most influential player was Bill Tilden!! Of whom was a major influence on Laver
Tilden was decades before Laver's time, and I have never heard Laver, or anyone else, mention Tilden as an influence on his game. Tilden played flat drives mostly, though he was very versatile, and played more from the backcourt. Laver used topspin when it was still not as common as it is today, and served and volleyed, which Tilden certainly didn't do as much.
If you spoke to the best players over the last 3 or 4 decades most of them would cite Laver as their idol.