Hall of Fame Legends Ball celebrates Rod Laver

By Nina PanticPublished September 10, 2019

NEW YORK—On Saturday, the tennis world came together at Cipriani in Midtown Manhattan to celebrate one of its greatest: Rod Laver.

Thank you to the Hall of Famers who attended the Legends Ball at Cipriani last night to honour my 50th Grand Slam anniversary. @PHShriver was especially impressive in our inner circle! pic.twitter.com/26SOBIbT9b
— Rod Laver (@rodlaver) September 8, 2019

This year's US Open marked the 50th anniversary of Laver's second calendar-year Grand Slam.

September 7, 2019 - The 2019 International Tennis Hall of Fame Legends Ball at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York, NY. (Photo by Tim Camuso) — © Tim Camuso

Laver was the honorary guest at the annual International Tennis Hall of Fame Legends Ball, with four replica trophies on display representing his 1969 wins.

September 7, 2019 - Rod Laver attends the 2019 International Tennis Hall of Fame Legends Ball at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York, NY. (Photo by Steve Freeman) — © Steve Freeman

Laver won 11 singles Grand Slam titles during his career, winning all four in 1962 and repeating the feat one year after the Open era began in 1969. He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1981.

wSeptember 7, 2019 - Todd Martin, Stan Smith and Rod Laver during the 2019 International Tennis Hall of Fame Legends Ball at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York, NY. (Photo by Steve Freeman) — © Steve Freeman

The Australian presented the Hall of Fame CEO Todd Martin and Stan Smith with a gift for their museum, commemorating his 1969 Grand Slam achievement that has yet to be duplicated by anyone on the ATP tour.

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 07: Todd Martin toast with Charlie Pasarell, Butch Buchholz, Steve Flink, Stan Smith, Cliff Drysdale, Chris Evert, Pam Shriver, Rod Laver, Rosie Casals, Mark Woodforde, Jane Brown Grimes and Donald Dell during the International Tennis Hall Of Fame Legends Ball at Cipriani 42nd Street on September 7, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Kris Connor/Getty Images for International Tennis Hall of Fame) — © 2019 Getty Images

The 81-year-old was joined on stage by a slew of Hall of Fame legends including Chris Evert, Pam Shriver, Cliff Drysdale, Rosy Casals and Mark Woodford. Woodford would take part in a special sit-down interview about Laver with Smith, led by Paul Annacone.

"Being with these people, and knowing them, they've been great champions," Laver said. "These people are the ones that I think should be celebrated as well."

September 7, 2019 - Darren Cahill, Stan Smith and Mark Woodforde speak during the 2019 International Tennis Hall of Fame Legends Ball at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York, NY. (Photo by Steve Freeman) — © Steve Freeman

Laver won 200 ATP titles during his stellar career. He held the No. 1 spot from 1964-1970, and won nine doubles and mixed doubles Grand Slams to go with his 11 in singles.