Hall of Fame Legends Ball celebrates Rod Laver

NEW YORK—On Saturday, the tennis world came together at Cipriani in Midtown Manhattan to celebrate one of its greatest: Rod Laver.

This year's  US Open marked the 50th anniversary of Laver's second calendar-year Grand Slam.

Laver was the honorary guest at the annual International Tennis Hall of Fame Legends Ball, with four replica trophies on display representing his 1969 wins.

Laver won 11 singles Grand Slam titles during his career, winning all four in 1962 and repeating the feat one year after the Open era began in 1969. He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1981.

The Australian presented the Hall of Fame CEO Todd Martin and Stan Smith with a gift for their museum, commemorating his 1969 Grand Slam achievement that has yet to be duplicated by anyone on the ATP tour.

The 81-year-old was joined on stage by a slew of Hall of Fame legends including Chris Evert, Pam Shriver, Cliff Drysdale, Rosy Casals and Mark Woodford. Woodford would take part in a special sit-down interview about Laver with Smith, led by Paul Annacone.

"Being with these people, and knowing them, they've been great champions," Laver said. "These people are the ones that I think should be celebrated as well."

Laver won 200 ATP titles during his stellar career. He held the No. 1 spot from 1964-1970, and won nine doubles and mixed doubles Grand Slams to go with his 11 in singles.