Australian Open 2019 – Countdown
Rodney George Laver, AC, MBE ( born 09 August 1938) is an Australian Tennis Legend. He was born in Rockhampton, Queensland.
He has won 11 Grand Slam Titles including Three Australian Open Men’s Singles Titles in 1960.1962 & 1969. He has won French Open twice in 1962 & 1969 , The US Open twice in 1962 & 1969 and Wimbledon four times (1961,62,68 & 69). He is the only player to twice achieve the Grand Slam (1962 & 1969) and only one to do in the open era. The Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne Park is named after him in 2000.
Honours
MBE – Member of the Order of British Empire – 1970.
Australian Sports Medal -30 Aug 2000
Companion of The Order of Australia (AC) -2016 Australia Day Honours.
International Hall of Fame -1981.
Margaret Court, AO, MBE (born 16 July 1942) is an Australian Women’s Tennis Legend who has won 11 Australian Open Women’s Singles titles including seven titles before 1969. She has won a total of 24 Grand Slam singles titles ( French Open -5, US Open -5 and Wimbledon-3). She also won 19 Women’s Doubles and 21 Mixed Doubles Grand Slam titles . These 64 Titles is a World record which still stands in her name . She is perhaps the Greatest Tennis Player of all times.
The Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne Park is named after her.
Honours
MBE – Member of the Order of British Empire – 1967.
Australian Sports Medal -30 Aug 2000
Officer of The Order of Australia (AO) -2007.
International Hall of Fame -1993.
Australia issued four stamps in honour of Rod Laver and Margaret Court on 24 January 2003. One stamp shows them in action and in the other one, each one is seen holding the trophy.
Australian Open Men Singles Trophy – Norman Brookes Challenge Cup
Sir Norman Everard Brookes ( 14 November 1877 – 28 September 1966) was an Australian Tennis player who won three Grand Slam singles titles (Wimbledon in 1907 & 1914, Australasian Championships in 1911). The Australian Open Men’s Singles Trophy the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup is named in his honour. Australia issued a stamp in his memory on 18 February 1981.
