Sept. 10, 1962 - Rod Laver of Australia achieved the first grand slam in men’s singles tennis since 1938 when he won the U.S. national championship today. Holder of the Wimbledon, Australian, and French championships, the red-haired, left-handed Laver completed his sweep of the world’s four major titles by defeating his Davis Cup teammate, Roy Emerson, in the final round. The scores were 6-2, 6-4, 5-7, and 6-4. One year ago, Emerson had beaten Laver in the U.S. final in three sets. The gallery of 9,000 in the Forest Hills stadium of the West Side Tennis Club acclaimed the 24-year-old champion with a standing ovation as he walked off the court. Waiting to congratulate him as he reached the marquee was Donald Budge, the only other player to achieve the singles grand slam. Ken McGregor and Frank Sedgman won the doubles grand slam in 1951.
