All You Need to Know About Rod Laver’s Marriage and His Current Girlfriend
Follow Us
11-time Grand Slam champion Rod Laver met Mary Shelby Peterson for the first time at the Jack Kramer Tennis Club in 1966. Laver, a celebrated tennis star, was at the Kramer Club to play a match while Mary had gone to watch swimming.
In 1966, Laver was already famous for completing the Grand Slam in 1962 and was a six-time Grand Slam singles champion. Mary, born in Illinois, was a divorced mom with three kids and knew little about tennis. “We hit it off, right away,” said Laver, recalling their first meeting. Eventually, their romance saw them decide to tie the knot in a few months’ time.
When did Rod Laver get married?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Laver got married to Mary at a church in San Rafael, California, in 1966. At their wedding ceremony, a group of well-known tennis players stood in attendance, including Lew Hoad, Ken Rosewall, Roy Emerson, Mal Anderson, and Barry MacKay.
The players stood outside the church and raised their tennis rackets to form an archway for the newlyweds to walk under as they exited as husband and wife.
Trending
Serena Williams’ Husband Alexis Ohanian Gushes Over Her Pink Attire as Part of Nike’s Latest Endeavor
April 23, 2024 05:55 PM EDT
Madrid Open 2024: Leylah Fernandez vs Anastasia Potapova; Preview, Head-to-Head, Prediction
April 25, 2024 01:16 PM EDT
‘RIP’ – Heartbroken Brother of John McEnroe Mourns ESPN Legend’s Tragic Death Who Last Tweeted About Coco Gauff
April 21, 2024 02:43 PM EDT
Darwin Blanch: How Father’s Relentless Efforts for His Brother Ended up Becoming a Boon for Rafael Nadal’s Opponent
April 24, 2024 06:52 PM EDT
Mutua Madrid Open: Controversy Erupts After Bethanie Mattek-Sands’ Astounding Act Leaves Opponent Displeased
April 25, 2024 06:44 PM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest Tennis stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
Three years later, Mary gave birth to a son named Rick Laver, who was born three weeks after Laver won the Grand Slam in 1969.
“You’ll Never Win Wimbledon With a Sliced Backhand”: Rod Laver Reveals Mastering His Skills With a Wooden Racket
Unfortunately, Mary Laver died in November 2012 at their home in Carlsbad because of serious health problems, bringing an end to the couple’s 46 years of marriage.
“We had a wonderful life together. We did a lot of traveling, a lot of tennis tournaments, tennis events,” Laver said, at the demise of his beloved wife.
Who is Rod Laver’s current girlfriend?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Laver is currently dating Susan Johnson, who was previously married to businessman and Nabisco chairman, F. Ross Johnson, until his death in 2016.
While Susan and Laver had known each other since the ’80s, they later reconnected in 2018 after Johnson reached out via a phone call to prove to her friends that she knew the tennis legend.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
“It probably turned out to be the nicest thing that ever happened to me. We have been together ever since,” said Laver.
The phone call changed everything, and the couple has been together ever since. Over the years, Laver has attended many tennis matches and public events along with his girlfriend.
Written by:
