Rockhampton City QLD 4700, Australia, 3 January 2018 | Nathan Marino

The Park Avenue Parish Social Tennis Club was built by the father of the only man to have completed two Grand Slam years – winning all four major events in a calendar year. It was later named in his son’s honour as the Rod Laver Tennis Club in Rockhampton. Located on central Queensland’s coast, the center plays host to a number of locals, both junior and senior, on their quest to emulate their hometown icon. However, despite the prestige associated with the club’s name, some locals believe the court isn’t given the iconic status they deserve, and the support it needs to stay viable.

Sue Young, the gatekeeper to the club’s prestigious and storied history, detailed how close the club was to becoming extinct.

“The club was formed in 1991 when plans to demolish the historical court [first erected by Roy Laver in the 1950s] were mooted.”

Young insisted that the club never needed to come close to folding, despite the fact that “the court at that time was in serious disrepair.”

Since narrowly surviving, the club has had to rely heavily on government funding, receiving over $62,000 in two separate grants, generous donations from numerous local business, as well as tireless efforts from club members and volunteers.

The clay court at the club, which is the only of its kind in the Rockhampton area, prides itself on being affordable and accessible for all in the town: “our initial intention was to provide an affordable form of recreation for all, particularly families,” said Young.

A segment of Rod Laver: The Red-Headed Rocket from Rockhampton, written by Laver’s sister-in-law Betty, depicts how the competition between Rod’s older brothers on the court, Trevor and Bob, drove Rod’s hunger and eagerness for the game.

“Wanting to be part of this [Bob and Trevor’s on court rivalry], Rod would try to join in but would be promptly told to leave.”

It was not until a visiting tennis coach by the name of Charlie decided that Rod’s keen-eye, intent, and enthusiasm warranted mentoring. Rod, who was often waiting by the court for his chance, finally got his chance to be coached and tutored in the art of tennis.

It is well documented what Rod Laver was able to achieve in the years between debuting on Rockhampton’s red clay and the club dedicating its name to his legacy; surpassing his bullying brothers with 11 career singles titles. However, what is not as well documented is the sporadic visits made by the man himself to his hometown.

“Since the time of the formation of the tennis club he [Laver] has visited the court a number of times,” recalled Rockhampton local Young. “These visits were kept private and we were only given an hour notice.”

On one of his most recent visits, Laver is said to have expressed his gratitude to the club for the tireless efforts and the numerous hours given by the volunteers in keeping the club alive and thriving.

However, only a select few are granted the opportunity to meet the living legend each visit, with Young lucky enough to have a hit with the three time Australian Open champion.

Young compares the feeling of having a hit with Laver on a lazy Sunday afternoon to the hysteria surrounding the Beatles in their prime, screaming with excitement after being afforded the opportunity.

It is this magnitude of the man and his presence that, while adored in tennis-circles, appears to be lost on the town itself.

“As an historic icon I don’t believe that locally the court is as acknowledged as well as it could be,” lamented Young. “If you went to Bowral, you have many opportunities for cricket enthusiasts to follow Sir Donald Bradman’s history. Laver is to tennis wat Bradman is to cricket yet here locally we don’t promote it.”

What the future holds for the Rod Laver Tennis Club is anyone’s guess, as “we would like to think that in 10, 20, even 50 years time the Rod Laver Court will still be there for people to use and enjoy,” concluded Young. The passionate local also emphasized the need for the court to serve as a memorial and tribute to the custodian of Australian tennis.

The court itself will hopefully remain for even longer as it will be needed to inspire Rockhampton’s next Grand Slam champion, who is quite possible practicing on it now or simply is yet to be born.