Rod Laver’s Heart Stroke: How Late Wife’s Rock-Solid Support Gave a New Leash of Life to the Australian Living Treasure

Rod Laver, a name synonymous with tennis greatness, stands as a towering figure in the sport’s history, celebrated for his unparalleled contributions both on and off the court. Renowned for achieving the rare feat of winning two calendar-year Grand Slam and ushering in the Open Era, Laver’s impact on tennis is nothing short of legendary.

His wife, Mary Laver, was always there to back him in every success and strategic stroke. When things went hard for him, including his heart stroke, his wife was there to support him no matter what.

Rod Laver’s wife stood by him through his tough times

Over the years, the 85-year-old tennis player has written and shared his life story regarding his tennis journey in a lot of books and autobiographies. Similarly, in the revised version of his first autobiography, ‘The Education Of A Tennis Player’, he talked about the toughest time of his life when he recovered from a 1998 heart attack.

But at the same time, he also talked about how his wife and family’s support got him through his tough time. In that autobiography, while he dwelled on how he faced a stroke in the middle of an interview, he also detailed his wife’s conversation about how the whole family, including her, was there for him.

He mentioned that Mary said, “It was rough on all of us. Rod, you were in intensive care for three weeks, and at least one of us [she, their son and daughter-in-law] was in there around the clock, to let you know we were there, to calm you when you were conscious. It wasn’t a great place for your 60th birthday [Aug. 9].” 

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Further, he also detailed how it was not easy for his family to deal with him, looking into the childish behavior that came along with the heart stroke. In the same autobiography, he also talked about how there were situations of struggle after his health problems started, but his wife stood by him at every step of his life.

Rod Laver’s after-effects of the heart stroke

While talking about his struggle with the heart stroke, he talked about his condition in detail. He stated, “I had to be restrained at times, they tell me. I guess I wanted out. Sometimes I ripped out the IVs. I was rough on everybody. I do remember being aphasic, blurring, slurring words. I looked terrible, lost 30 pounds to 130. I couldn’t form words. One of the toughest was “dog.” I was like a kid again, had to re-learn to tell time, and a lot of other things.” 

Further, he also highlighted how there were seizures, high blood pressure, and a fever that the doctors had trouble controlling, which swelled his brain too. Not only that, but he also explained how, somewhere down the line, he was like a kid again, where he had to learn to do basic things, but he never gave up and got back on his feet with determination.

Nevertheless, what are your thoughts on Rod Laver’s wife’s love for her Australian tennis legend husband? After getting through all the tough times together, Mary died of illness at age 84 in 2012, leaving a void in Laver’s heart forever.

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