Which tennis player had the nickname 'Rocket'?

The Australian tennis player who had the nickname 'Rocket' was Rod Laver. He is the male tennis player who has won the Grand Slam twice (1962 and 1969) and he holds the all-time male record of 22 singles titles in a season. He is a former tennis player whose playing career ran from 1956 until 1977. The Rocket played as an amateur from 1956 until the end of 1962 when he joined Jack Kramer's professional circuit.

As a professional he was banned from playing the Grand Slam tournaments as well as other tournaments organized by the national associations of the International Lawn Tennis Federation (ILTF). In 1968, with the advent of the Open Era, the distinction between amateurs and professionals disappeared and Laver was again able to compete in Grand Slam events until the end of his career in 1977. During his career he won eleven Grand Slam tournaments, nine Pro Slam tournaments and five Davis Cup titles.

Rod Laver (Rodney George Laver) was born on August 9, 1938 in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia. Three years after his retirement from tennis, Laver (Rocket) was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Real retirement came later when he moved to Rancho Mirage, California, a suburb of Palm Springs. He took to playing golf as much as he did tennis. He has told the public, "My life is one I'm always enjoying; it is full of fulfillment."