John McEnroe has often described Rod Laver as his tennis idol, having grown up watching him dominate the sport.
Australian legend won 11 Grand Slams and 8 Pro major titles during his career, a then-record tally.
Competing from 1956 to 1971, Laver carved out a one-of-a-kind legacy on the .
Remarkably, when reflecting on his career, many argue that Laver had the ability to win more titles than he did.
Weighing in with his thoughts, has explained the problem Laver encountered that stopped him from adding to his Grand Slam count.
This article delves into John McEnroe’s insights on why Rod Laver, despite his immense talent, wasn’t able to win as many Grand Slam titles as he potentially could have. McEnroe points to a specific challenge Laver faced during the 1960s, which significantly impacted his career and legacy. By exploring this issue, we gain a deeper understanding of the obstacles Laver overcame and the context of his remarkable achievements in the world of tennis.
John McEnroe Explains Why Rod Laver Could Not Play Grand Slams During the 1960s
Appearing as a guest on the ‘Served’ podcast, McEnroe shared what Laver did during the 1960s that prevented him from competing at major tournaments.
“Here is the problem, unlike now, where some guys can make a tremendous living, there was no money in tennis. He had a kid, so he had to find a way to make money,” said McEnroe.
“So he had to turn pro, and when you turned pro back in the ’60s, you weren’t allowed to play the Grand Slam events, so for five years, Rod Laver played zero Grand Slam events, even though he was the best player in the world.”
During the 1960s, the landscape of professional tennis was vastly different from what it is today. Financial incentives were scarce, making it challenging for players to sustain a career solely through tournament winnings. Rod Laver, like many of his contemporaries, faced the difficult decision of turning professional to secure a stable income. However, this decision came at a significant cost.
The Open Era and Laver’s Resurgence
When tennis entered the ‘Open Era’ in 1968, Laver was allowed to re-enter the Grand Slam sphere, and it didn’t take him long to rise to the top.
“In ’68, finally, tennis came to the realisation that it would be better if all the best players competed, so they opened it,” he said.
“In ’69, I think at 30, 31 years old, Rod won the Grand Slam for the second time, beating everybody, which was even more impressive than it was the first time.”
The advent of the Open Era in 1968 marked a turning point in tennis history, and it allowed Laver to compete at the highest level once again. This era removed the restrictions that had previously prevented professional players from participating in Grand Slam tournaments, paving the way for the best talent to compete against each other regardless of their professional status. For Laver, this meant a chance to reclaim his place among the tennis elite and add to his already impressive list of achievements.
Laver’s Unmatched Feat: Two Grand Slams
To complete the Grand Slam, a player must win all four major tournaments in a calendar year, a feat only two players have accomplished in the history of the men’s game.
“He won the Grand Slam twice, which is unheard of; no guy has done that,” said McEnroe.
“No one has done that since. A couple of guys have been reasonably close, most recently, who had won three in a row and lost to [Daniil] Medvedev four years ago at the US Open. But it was unheard of. Don Budge did it in the 30s.”
Laver’s accomplishments in the sport are nothing short of legendary, highlighted by his incredible achievement of winning the Grand Slam twice in his career. Winning all four major tournaments in a single calendar year is one of the most challenging feats in tennis, demanding exceptional skill, consistency, and mental fortitude. Only two players in the history of men’s tennis have managed to accomplish this remarkable feat, with Rod Laver being the only one to do it twice.
Men’s singles Grand Slam winners
- Don Budge – 1930
- Rod Laver – 1962
- Rod Laver – 1969
Laver continued to play after completing his second Grand Slam in 1969, for one key reason.
“He continued to play because he still hadn’t really made any money. I’ll tell you, he made $100,000; he played like 35 tournaments [in 1970] to reach $100,000 in prize money. First round loser at the US Open gets $110,000,” said McEnroe.
Chiming in with his thoughts, said the stars of today have Laver to thank for their prize money.
“That’s because of Rod Laver, I hope all of the players that are in these tournaments, playing for these sums of money, fans that can go into this beautiful building and have a great experience [can appreciate Laver],” he said.
Despite his unparalleled success on the court, Laver’s financial situation remained a significant factor in his career decisions. The prize money in tennis during his era was a fraction of what it is today, making it difficult for even the top players to accumulate substantial wealth. As McEnroe pointed out, Laver continued to compete well into his 30s, not just for the love of the game, but also out of necessity to secure his financial future.
Recent Grand Slam Attempts
Since Djokovic came a match away from the Grand Slam in 2021, there have been four attempts at tennis’ most impossible achievement.
| Year | Australian Open winner | French Open performance | Wimbledon performance | % of Grand Slam |
| 2022 | Rafael Nadal | Winner | Lost in SF | 68% |
| 2023 | Novak Djokovic | Winner | Lost in F | 71% |
| 2024 | Jannik Sinner | Lost in SF | – | 43% |
| 2025 | Jannik Sinner | Lost in F | – | 46% |
in 2022 and Djokovic in 2023 both won the first two Grand Slams of the year, but came up short during the latter stages of Wimbledon.
Djokovic came painfully close to winning the title at Wimbledon in 2023, losing out in a deciding set to Spain’s .
Italy’s has won the Australian Open in each of the last two years, but has failed to follow it up with a title in Paris.
Returning to Melbourne as the favorite in 2026, Sinner will hope to make a better run at the Grand Slam.
The Grand Slam remains one of the most elusive achievements in tennis, with only a select few players coming close to completing it in recent years. Novak Djokovic’s near miss in 2021, when he won the first three major tournaments but fell short at the US Open, serves as a testament to the difficulty of the feat. Similarly, Rafael Nadal in 2022 and Djokovic again in 2023 both captured the Australian Open and French Open titles, only to be denied at Wimbledon.
Laver’s efforts won’t be forgotten, having achieved more in the sport than most could even dream of.
McEnroe noted that Djokovic came close to adding his name to the list of Grand Slam winners a few years ago, but has anyone challenged since?
It remains to be seen if anyone will follow in the footsteps of Budge and Laver and complete the Grand Slam, but it will certainly be something to look out for in the future.
Rod Laver’s impact on tennis is undeniable, and his legacy continues to inspire players and fans alike. Despite the challenges he faced during his career, including the decision to turn professional and the subsequent restrictions on Grand Slam participation, Laver achieved unparalleled success. As John McEnroe aptly pointed out, Laver’s achievements are a testament to his extraordinary talent, perseverance, and love for the game. It is crucial to remember Laver’s contributions to the sport and appreciate the sacrifices he made, which ultimately paved the way for future generations of tennis stars to thrive.
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