Born on August 9th 1938, Rod Laver was the greatest male player of the 1960s and is widely regarded as one of the finest of all time.

A left-hander, the Australian won all four Grand Slam singles titles in the same year on two occasions 1962 and 1969, the latter coming in what is now referred to as the 'open era' of professional tennis.

Although not a big man, the world No 1 from 1964 to 1970 possessed a formidable serve-and-volley game and could also rely on aggressive groundstrokes.

After winning the Australian Open in 1960, Wimbledon in 1961 and all four Grand Slam singles in 1962 as an amateur, Rod Laver turned professional and was therefore rendered ineligible for the sport's most famous competitions owing to the fact these competitions permitted amateur entrants only at this time.

He had to wait until 1968 before he added to his collection of major titles when the 'open era' began. That seventh Grand Slam crown came at Wimbledon and he retained the championship the following year as part of his second clean sweep.

Rod Laver's Wimbledon triumph in 1969 was his fourth in as many appearances at the event and he had also reached the final in 1959 and 1960.

He subsequently failed to add to his tally of 11 Grand Slams, but that was mainly due to his commitments on the professional circuits he had been contesting before the advent of the 'open era'.

Also a highly successful doubles player, Laver continued playing at the highest level until he brought down the curtain on his career in 1976 at the age of 38.