Carrying the surname he does, Lieutenant Nathan Laver, from Queensland, felt the weight of professional expectations on his shoulders.

But unlike his great-uncle Rod Laver – winner of 11 grand slam tennis singles titles and regarded by many as the greatest tennis player in the history of the sport – Lieutenant Laver used the success of his famous relative to inspire him to carve out a different career game path.

“From a young age I was exposed to what Rod was able to achieve, reminding me anything is possible if you’re willing to put in the work,” Lieutenant Laver said.

“When I see the big stadium with my last name on it, it’s a reminder of what he was able to achieve.”

Lieutenant Laver said his great-uncle’s discipline and determination had helped shape him to become the Navy officer he is today, notably with a demanding trade.

Lieutenant Laver has served in Navy for four years as an aeronautical engineer officer after completing his studies at the University of Sydney.

“Although we went down different paths, Rod’s reputation and achievements helped me focus on what I wanted to achieve in my game,” he said.

He never contemplated a career as a professional tennis player, but was selected to be part of the Australian Defence Force Racquets – Tennis Team that recently competed against British counterparts in Melbourne, coinciding with the Australian Open played at Rod Laver Arena.

The Laver pair caught up socially during the competition.

Lieutenant Laver joked that despite his great-uncle being inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1981 after dominating the sport in the 1960s, his family pursued a different racket sport.

“My family are squash players and even used to own our own squash centre in Gladstone,” he said.

While Rod Laver’s achievements were from a different era, his determination and humility continue to inspire the future generations, on and off the court and in uniform.