>17
Rookie
In a shocking announcement, former Australian tennis great Rod Laver has announced his comeback to professional tennis, as he is poised to accept a wildcard into the men's French Open.
Laver, now 85 years of age, has been retired for 45 years and remains the only man to have won the so-called Calendar Year Grand Slam, winning all for majors within a single season.
Some commentators and players have expressed skepticism regarding the planned comeback, with fellow former Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios quickly announcing on twitter that he would dunk on Laver if they ever were to play.
Laver brushed aside concerns about his advanced age, stressing that he feels he has improved a lot as a player even since retirement.
"For many years, I thought aging would mean a long, slow decline into decrepitude. But after reading the great internet forums of Tennis Warehouse, I have learned that any potential physical decline is offset tenfold by gains in experience. If Novak Djokovic has shown what you can achieve with 30 years of tennis experience, imagine what you can do with 80.
"A few years ago, I warmed up Roger [Federer] at the Australian Open. I wasn't too impressed. That's when I knew I can still hang comfortably with these guys," added Laver.
14-time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal, on the comeback trail himself, applauded Laver's announcement, adding that he hoped not to draw him early in the tournament and that he would have to be at his very best to stand any chance against the experienced Australian.
https://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/12110/13107351/Rod-laver-to-begin-tennis-comeback-at-french-open-after-being-awarded-wild-card
Laver, now 85 years of age, has been retired for 45 years and remains the only man to have won the so-called Calendar Year Grand Slam, winning all for majors within a single season.
Some commentators and players have expressed skepticism regarding the planned comeback, with fellow former Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios quickly announcing on twitter that he would dunk on Laver if they ever were to play.
Laver brushed aside concerns about his advanced age, stressing that he feels he has improved a lot as a player even since retirement.
"For many years, I thought aging would mean a long, slow decline into decrepitude. But after reading the great internet forums of Tennis Warehouse, I have learned that any potential physical decline is offset tenfold by gains in experience. If Novak Djokovic has shown what you can achieve with 30 years of tennis experience, imagine what you can do with 80.
"A few years ago, I warmed up Roger [Federer] at the Australian Open. I wasn't too impressed. That's when I knew I can still hang comfortably with these guys," added Laver.
14-time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal, on the comeback trail himself, applauded Laver's announcement, adding that he hoped not to draw him early in the tournament and that he would have to be at his very best to stand any chance against the experienced Australian.
https://www.skysports.com/tennis/news/12110/13107351/Rod-laver-to-begin-tennis-comeback-at-french-open-after-being-awarded-wild-card
