Rod Laver, often considered the best player in tennis history, will make his debut at tennis’ original fantasy camp, Tennis Fantasies with John Newcombe and the Legends, this coming October. The 2014 edition of this once-a-year event takes place October 19-24 at the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch in New Braunfels, Texas (30 miles from San Antonio).
Laver is the only player in tennis history to have earned a calendar year sweep of all four of tennis’ major singles events on two occasions – attaining Grand Slam as an amateur in 1962 and then as a professional in 1969.
“When it comes to tennis legends they don’t stand any taller than Rod Laver,” said Newcombe. “His presence will add even more to our Tennis Fantasies community. We’re all looking forward to having him join us as a coach and a friend.”
Said Laver, “John and all our mates have been telling me about this event for years and how it brings to life all the qualities we Aussies enjoyed so much when we traveled the world — a wonderful mix of competition and camaraderie. I can’t wait to be at Newk’s ranch in October and be a part of it first-hand.”
Over the course of a career that spanned nearly 20 years, Laver won 20 major titles, including the singles at Wimbledon four times. Laver’s brilliant, left-handed game, coupled with exemplary sportsmanship both on and off the court, has inspired such champions as Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova – each of whom cite him as their stylistic role model. Millions of tennis fans across the globe have also been thoroughly captivated by the man nicknamed “The Rocket.”
Laver joins a superb Tennis Fantasies troupe of coaches. The 2014 roster includes Hall of Famers Newcombe, Roy Emerson, Fred Stolle, Owen Davidson, Mark Woodforde and Charlie Pasarell, as well as such Grand Slam champions as Rick Leach, Ross Case, Dick Stockton, Brian Gottfried, Murphy Jensen and Marty Riessen. Hall of Famers Ken Rosewall, Tony Roche, Mal Anderson, Manuel Santana, Guillermo Vilas and Cliff Drysdale have also been among the participants over the course of the event’s history.
Campers who attend this all-male event engage with the legends round-the-clock. The week-long program features instructional clinics, competitive match play, on-court coaching, fantasy matches, question-and-answer sessions – all adding up to the special mix of competition and camaraderie that makes Australia arguably the most significant nation in tennis history.
Tennis Fantasies was founded by Newcombe and Steve Contardi in 1988. Contardi has been the manager and director of tennis at the Club at Harper’s Point (Cincinnati) for nearly 40 years. Over this time he has also worked with the likes of prominent coach Nick Bollettieri and Hall of Famer Arthur Ashe.
The 2014 edition of Tennis Fantasies with John Newcombe and the Legends takes place October 19–24. To learn more, contact Steve Contardi at 1-800-874-7788, 513-489-9700, or via e-mail at stevec@towneproperties.com
