I almost beaned Rod Laver tonight.

Oxford · 07-03-2007, 09:34 PM

I almost beaned Rod Laver tonight.

Folks this is weird; but a true story.

Tonight I went down to the courts with my ball machine and started hitting some balls. There were some guys playing doubles in the next court but I really didn’t pay much attention. I had not seen them before and they played pretty well and were having a blast. Two guys appeared to be in their 60s or so and the others in early 40s.

They finished up and had to walk across my court by the net to get to the gate and my ball machine was firing away. I told them to go for it but keep and eye on the machine. They made the dash just as my Tennis Tutor took aim on one guy’s head. He ducked in time and they laughed about it as they headed off the court.

So the next group shows up to take their court and the guy with them comes up to me and says, “Is that Rod Laver?” I’m like, “huh?” He goes on to tell me that Rod’s daughter is married to a guy who lives in our development here in La Costa (San Diego) and it might be him.

I am thinking Whoa Neilly and walk around the clubhouse and the guys are chilling on the patio and I walk up and ask, “Are you Rod Laver?” Rod replied. “Yes I am”

I shook his hand and we chatted a bit. I apologized for my ball machine and received that hearty aussie laugh.

What a great guy and really, really strange evening.

OX

Solat · 07-03-2007, 09:39 PM

sahweeeeet!

hoosierbr · 07-03-2007, 09:56 PM

Rod Laver lives in Carlsbad, not too far from La Costa. That's sweet, lucky man you are!

Oxford · 07-03-2007, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoosierbr

Rod Laver lives in Carlsbad, not too far from La Costa. That's sweet, lucky man you are!

That makes sense, I live in Carlsbad where the courts are. La Costa Resort is a few miles away. I plan to attend the Ladies Pro event there this month. It will be my first professional tennis event. Man, that will be awesome.

Zets147 · 07-03-2007, 10:05 PM

haha you should've asked him who was the GOAT

superman1 · 07-03-2007, 10:54 PM

Amazing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zets147

haha you should've asked him who was the GOAT

He'd say either Sampras or Federer. He's too modest.

teedub · 07-04-2007, 07:30 AM

Crazy, I live in La Jolla, really close to Carlsbad, I never knew Laver would be hitting balls within 15 miles of where I live. That is freaking awesome. Who was he hitting with? Where does he actually live, I think I remember hearing it was in the US, likely in CA?

Did you watch him hit? How'd he hit? I saw some footage of him recently hitting, I think the poor guy suffered a stroke and lost some control over one of his legs so he doesn't move well anymore, but perhaps his strokes are still there?

hoosierbr · 07-04-2007, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oxford

That makes sense, I live in Carlsbad where the courts are. La Costa Resort is a few miles away. I plan to attend the Ladies Pro event there this month. It will be my first professional tennis event. Man, that will be awesome.

BTW, where were the courts you were playing at?

stormholloway · 07-04-2007, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oxford

I am thinking Whoa Neilly and walk around the clubhouse and the guys are chilling on the patio and I walk up and ask, “Are you Rod Laver?” Rod replied. “Yes I am?”

Strange reply. He must be losing his mind a bit.

Oxford · 07-04-2007, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teedub

Crazy, I live in La Jolla, really close to Carlsbad, I never knew Laver would be hitting balls within 15 miles of where I live. That is freaking awesome. Who was he hitting with? Where does he actually live, I think I remember hearing it was in the US, likely in CA?

Did you watch him hit? How'd he hit? I saw some footage of him recently hitting, I think the poor guy suffered a stroke and lost some control over one of his legs so he doesn't move well anymore, but perhaps his strokes are still there?

Well, that's the sad part...

I was so focused on working on my form and backhand that I never really checked out what the guys were doing on the next court. Hopefully I will have another chance.

Oxford · 07-04-2007, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoosierbr

BTW, where were the courts you were playing at?

http://www.lacostavalleyhoa.com/index.php

Oxford · 07-04-2007, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stormholloway

Strange reply. He must be losing his mind a bit.

OOPS? Typo? Maybe I am losing mine?

Gundam · 07-05-2007, 03:10 AM

Does he still have that massive tennis left forearm?
We have Nadal (biceps), they had Laver.

07-03-2007, 09:34 PM	#1
Oxford Rookie Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Carlsbad California Posts: 238	I almost beaned Rod Laver tonight. I almost beaned Rod Laver tonight. Folks this is weird; but a true story. Tonight I went down to the courts with my ball machine and started hitting some balls. There were some guys playing doubles in the next court but I really didn’t pay much attention. I had not seen them before and they played pretty well and were having a blast. Two guys appeared to be in their 60s or so and the others in early 40s. They finished up and had to walk across my court by the net to get to the gate and my ball machine was firing away. I told them to go for it but keep and eye on the machine. They made the dash just as my Tennis Tutor took aim on one guy’s head. He ducked in time and they laughed about it as they headed off the court. So the next group shows up to take their court and the guy with them comes up to me and says, “Is that Rod Laver?” I’m like, “huh?” He goes on to tell me that Rod’s daughter is married to a guy who lives in our development here in La Costa (San Diego) and it might be him. I am thinking Whoa Neilly and walk around the clubhouse and the guys are chilling on the patio and I walk up and ask, “Are you Rod Laver?” Rod replied. “Yes I am” I shook his hand and we chatted a bit. I apologized for my ball machine and received that hearty aussie laugh. What a great guy and really, really strange evening. OX Last edited by Oxford : 07-04-2007 at 12:31 PM.

07-03-2007, 09:39 PM	#2
Solat Professional Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,229	sahweeeeet! __________________ Fulltime Club Coach PS95 / Big Banger x PPS @ 60lbs

07-03-2007, 09:56 PM	#3
hoosierbr Hall Of Fame Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,831	Rod Laver lives in Carlsbad, not too far from La Costa. That's sweet, lucky man you are! __________________ twitter.com/ramjamvan

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