Sydney, December 25:

Next month’s Australian Open will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Rod Laver’s Grand Slam achievement when the Australian great will be reunited with the four players he beat in the Grand Slam finals of 1969.

Laver’s achievement of twice winning the Grand Slam of the French, Wimbledon, US and Australian crowns in one calendar year in 1962 and 1969 remains unmatched in men’s tennis . Laver will be reunited with the four players he beat in the four Slam finals — Andreas Gimeno (Australian), Ken Rosewall (French), John Newcombe (Wimbledon) and Tony Roche (US Open).