ROD LAVER IS TRULY | MAYBE “THE GOAT” • MR. GRAND SLAM MAN VERSUS SLAM CHAMPS IN CHICAGO @ THE LAVER CUP

Written by: Staff on 21st September 2018

ROD LAVER IS TRULY | MAYBE "THE GOAT" • MR. GRAND SLAM MAN VERSUS SLAM CHAMPS IN CHICAGO @ THE LAVER CUP |

By Global Chick

You think I’d miss this tennis tourney? Be serious… Look at the cast of characters…. Oh my gosh. What a great party. Wow. Who’s not here is more like it! Wow!

Ok. So what’s with my title.

Simple • Ready?

The definition of a Grand Slam is to win all four Majors in a calendar year. The only man alive to do it is Rod Laver.

And he did it TWICE!

I’ll never forget the night I was attending a Pro-Celebrity Golf event in the Coachella Valley. It was the late 90s. I think the function raised money for the Variety Club (A HOLLYWOOD charity) it was being held at Mission Hills Country Club. (Hi Tommy)

As we walked in the room my laser like eyes see ROD THE Rockingham Rocket Laver! He was at the famous Friday night meet and greet cocktail party and dinner where the teams are set. Well, who do I make a bee line for? • Rod Laver. Oh it was as if God had just appeared.

I’d met plenty of tennis stars. Movie Stars and famous people but I was in a small room of golfers staring at Rod Laver. Oh. Magic moment. Those days a Kodak moment. [that’s for you Bellamy.] Today an Instagram moment. [That’s for you Lewis.]

I grabbed my partner in tow. And the three of us were having the best chat when some “friend” stepped in and dragged him away. Some friend huh? Anyway, I was bummed, the magic carpet ride had just begun, and it was over… I bought the silent auction items he signed there and I sat down for dinner.

All of a sudden I’m tapped on the shoulder from behind and it’s Rod. He asks “Is this seat taken?” Oh my gosh.

I’ve sat next to both Pancho’s, Harry Hopman, Bunny I wear shorts Austin, and more. And now Rod… It was my birthday and every birthday all rolled into one.

I’ll never forget one of our chats that night where he was amazed at how I studied the old World Tennis magazines. [This ones for Julie Heldman.] We encourage you to buy her recently released book • the true accounting for Ladies pro tennis. Her mother Gladys formed the WTA. BJK formed the WTT.

Ok cleared that up! Again! And again!

That night Rod mentioned how he had taken his son I think to WIMBLEDON recently and his son was amazed at how he was remembered and treated.

The man is so humble. So totally amazing. We really had a great chat the whole evening.

We both laughed at how we had wished we didn’t have to go that night • to only have a great night! Instead of what we both had dreaded. Eating rubber chicken. People drinking too much. And silly chit chat. We were two tennis people talking tennis.

Big Boss always said even a blind squirrel finds a nut every so often… Rod was my “gem” that night. I was so blessed. Lucky. And it was truly magical. We discussed both GRAND SLAMS. We talked about Martin Mulligan [Hello FILA] and their Famous FRENCH Open match points…. And yes, he was a great sport that night sharing great stories. We ran into each other over the years. The Last time I saw ROD was WIMBLEDON 2o17 I think.

Rod had some major ups and downs in life. He almost left us with suffering a stroke while doing a TV interview near UCLA hospital. But he was blessed and saved. All because he was so close to help. He Then he lost his wife. Then he bounced back again. And we remained lifelong friends. Never seeing each other often. But always a warm hello.

Rod Laver Is the Greatest Of All Time • Hence I say G.O.A.T.