Laver Suffers Stroke, Taken to UCLA Medical Center

Tennis Hall of Famer Rod Laver, 59, suffered a stroke Monday shortly after taping a television interview in Los Angeles and was taken to UCLA Medical Center.

A nursing supervisor said late Monday night that Laver had undergone diagnostic procedures, that his family was with him and he was resting comfortably. The supervisor said the family requested that no other information be released.

Laver was planning to attend a tournament reception for Mercedes-Benz dealers and other officials before Monday night’s matches at UCLA’s L.A. Tennis Center, according to tournament director Bob Kramer. Kramer said that the stroke did not happen at the tournament site.

News of Laver’s stroke emerged after the charity event, “An Evening at the Net.” Andre Agassi, one of the participants in the exhibition doubles match, found himself surrounded by television crew in the tunnel by the stadium court, asking for comment about Laver, who lives in Newport Beach.

ESPN spokesman Rob Tobias said a free-lance crew was taping an interview with Laver for an upcoming ESPN series, “Sports- Century,” and the stroke occurred after the taping. But at press time Tobias was not sure exactly where it took place.

Laver is the only player in history to twice sweep the four Grand Slam events in one year. He did it as an amateur in 1962 and as a pro in 1969.