Rocket Rod receives Australia Week honours in USA

Los Angeles: Queensland’s sporting success was in the spotlight last night when Rod Laver MBE was awarded for Excellence in Sport at a G’Day USA Australia Week gala dinner attended by more than 1000 people.

The ‘Rockhampton Rocket’ was honoured for his enormous contribution to international tennis in a presentation by US tennis legend, John McEnroe.

Queensland Governor, Her Excellency Ms Penelope Wensley AO, was on hand to congratulate Rod Laver on his stellar tennis career, and his long-time role as an internationally respected ambassador for the sport.

Acting Premier Paul Lucas said that Rod Laver would continue to rate at the top of the list of the State’s sporting greats.

“Rocket Rod was the world’s number one ranked tennis player for seven consecutive years from 1964 to 1970. Not only is he the only player to win all four Grand Slam singles titles in the same year, but he managed to achieve this amazing feat twice in 1962 and in 1969,” Mr Lucas said.

“He was the leading light in Australia’s record four consecutive Davis Cup wins from 1959 to 1962 and has often been rated by those in the know as the greatest male player of all time.

“On behalf of the Queensland Government, I sincerely congratulate Rod Laver on his latest international achievement,” Mr Lucas said.

MP for Rockhampton Robert Schwarten said Rod Laver would always be remembered by Queenslanders as the boy from Rockhampton who became the best in the world.

“The people of Rockhampton are proud of their sporting heritage. Rocket Rod’s on-court performances against the likes of Tony Roche, Ken Rosewall, John Newcombe, Roy Emerson and Pancho Gonzales are the stuff of Queensland and Australian sporting legend,” Mr Schwarten said.

“Rod Laver was the complete tennis player. Not only could he play on any surface, but he had that exciting and devastating serve and volley style and was one of the first to master the art of top spin.

“Rockhampton loves a sportsman. Rod Laver, as an international sporting success story, remains one of our favourite sons and I know that the people of Rockhampton will share with him the pleasure of his latest success,” Mr Schwarten said.

Rod Laver received the title of Queensland Great in 2007, acknowledging him as an extraordinary Queenslander for his significant role in the history and development of the State.

He was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Queen's Birthday Honours of 1970 and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1981. He was named an Australian Living Treasure in 1997. The arena at the Melbourne Tennis Centre, home of the Australian Open, is named in his honour.