Laver Leaves Hospital a Month After Suffering Stroke

Australian tennis legend Rod Laver, who suffered a moderate stroke July 27, was released from UCLA Medical Center on Thursday.

Laver, wearing a UCLA tennis cap, tossed a tennis ball with his right hand from his wheelchair to one of his doctors, Eric Aldrich. Aldrich also threw a tennis ball to Laver, who caught it with his right hand.

The stroke occurred on the left side of Laver’s brain--toward the end of a 45-minute television interview in Westwood --and affected his right side as well as his ability to speak.

Accompanied by family members, Laver made a brief statement Thursday, as he expressed gratitude to his doctors at the UCLA Stroke Center. Laver, who turned 60 on Aug. 9, spoke clearly and said he was glad to be leaving the hospital. Although Laver was in a wheelchair, he is able to walk with the help of a walker. A hospital spokeswoman said Laver will begin physical therapy at his Newport Beach home, and eventually have rehabilitation outside the home. Later, he also will have treadmill rehabilitation therapy at UCLA, a relatively new procedure.

Thursday, doctors said Laver had progressed so well in the last few weeks that playing tennis again is a possibility.

Laver’s progress has been followed closely in the tennis world. Considered Australia’s greatest sporting figure, he is the only player to win the Grand Slam twice, in 1962 and 1969.

Defending U.S. Open champion Patrick Rafter of Australia made it a point to mention Laver when he won an ATP tour event earlier this month in Toronto, dedicating the title to him.