AUSTRALIA LOVES ROD ” THE ROCKET ” LAVER BY SIGRID DRAPER

Written by: Staff on 29th January 2015

AUSTRALIA LOVES ROD " THE ROCKET " LAVER BY SIGRID DRAPER |

Australia Loves Laver !

July 27, 1998. They were throwing another “Shrimp on the Barbie” and wishing everyone G’Day. Just another day in Australia. Probably also listening to the strains of “Waltzing Matilda” a popular folk song that was considered to be their “unofficial National Anthem”. Crocodile Dundee was wielding his BIG knife and the Kangaroos were happily hopping around to the amusement and delight of the tourists.

In Los Angeles , California the L.A. Tennis Tournament was in progress. The Double Grand Slam Hero was giving an interview to ESPN a few blocks away. As Rod Laver was speaking, a strange look crossed his face and it wasn’t long before everyone realized he was suffering a Stroke right in front of them. The tape kept rolling and the entirety of the Stroke was recorded. It was then they realized time was of the essence and they had to get him medical attention!

If there is a “lucky” stroke, it was that UCLA Medical Center was only a few blocks away. It was serious, very serious and there was doubt that he would live to see his 60th Birthday on August the 9th. No one was allowed to see him except close family members. The Aussie players upon hearing the news were devastated! They had to find a way to let their “Rocket” know how much they loved him and were praying for him. After many futile attempts at communication, they hit an ACE! Shocked doctors and Nurses couldn’t believe their eyes. They were all standing in the Hall in the front of his room singing in the loudest, off key voices, “Waltzing Matilda”!

Rod Laver says he doesn’t remember much of those days. He was in Intensive Care Unit for 13 days and lost 30 pounds. He lost the pounds but not his life! No one knows how he was able to survive this crisis. The Odds were not good and no one wanted to take that bet. I personally believe that his players hit the right note with Waltzing Matilda!

Today, Rod is enjoying the Australian Open and when he hears “Waltzing Matilda” and sees the smiles on the Aussie’s faces, he has to know he is loved!

Tennis legend Rod Laver (centre), who holds the record for most singles titles won in the history of tennis (200) sitting in the VIP section of the appropriately named Rod Laver Arena on Australia Day during the Australian Open at Melbourne Park, Melbourne Jan. 26, 2015. EPA/JOE CASTRO AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

Throw another “Shrimp on the Barbie” and G’Day Mate!

10sballs_com Editors Note : Re: SIGRID Draper . The love of Sigrid’s life wasn’t tennis … but a MAN that loved tennis with every ounce of his being and was “THE Undisputed FATHER of Open Tennis “

Judge Robert J. Kelleher was Sigrid’s life companion. The mighty Judge wanted to marry the beautiful , brilliant , funny SIGRID many times. But it just never happened. So Sigrid’s love of the game came by way of her love of the Judge . She knew or knows everyone in tennis. She is currently working on a book about the GLOBETROTTING lives they shared. Geezer was lucky enough to go to Wimbledon with them often. One year they even had Bunny Austin as a table guest. Wow. How do you top that ? Knowing Gussy Moran and now the man who introduced shorts to tennis at Wimbledon…. Thank you SIGRID .LJ.

Topics: 10sballs.com, Australia, Robert J. Kelleher, Rod Laver, Sigrid Draper, Tennis

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dusanVemic says:

February 3, 2015 at 8:11 pm

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