Patrick Michael Rafter (born 28 December 1972) is an Australian former world No.
The comeback, however, was short-lived, as the pair went down in straight sets to eventual runner-ups Eric Butorac and Raven Klaasen in the first round. ====ATP Champions Tour==== At the 2009 AEGON Masters Tennis, Rafter lost his opening round robin match against the 1987 Wimbledon Champion Pat Cash 2–6, 6–2, 10–6.
He is also the only player who has a winning record against the 20-time Grand Slam winner on all the three main tennis surfaces: hard, clay and grass. ==Tennis career== Rafter turned professional in 1991.
Then, he surprised many by winning the US Open, defeating Andriy Medvedev, Magnus Norman, Lionel Roux, Andre Agassi, Magnus Larsson, and Michael Chang before beating Greg Rusedski in a four-set final; he was the first non-American to win the title since Stefan Edberg in 1992.
He was known for his serve-and-volley style of play. ===Early years (1991–1996)=== Rafter won his first tour-level match in 1993, at Wimbledon.
Rafter finished 1993 with a ranking of 66. Rafter won his first career singles title in 1994 in Manchester.
Rafter finished 1993 with a ranking of 66. Rafter won his first career singles title in 1994 in Manchester.
His career highlights include consecutive US Open titles in 1997 and 1998, consecutive runner-up appearances at Wimbledon in 2000 and 2001, winning the 1999 Australian Open men's doubles tournament alongside Jonas Björkman, and winning two singles and two doubles ATP Masters titles. He became the first man in the Open Era to win Canada Masters, Cincinnati Masters and the US Open in the same year, which he achieved in 1998; this achievement has been dubbed the American Summer Slam.
Prior to 1997, this was the only ATP singles title he had won. ===Breakthrough and stardom (1997–1999)=== Rafter's breakthrough came in 1997.
His career highlights include consecutive US Open titles in 1997 and 1998, consecutive runner-up appearances at Wimbledon in 2000 and 2001, winning the 1999 Australian Open men's doubles tournament alongside Jonas Björkman, and winning two singles and two doubles ATP Masters titles. He became the first man in the Open Era to win Canada Masters, Cincinnati Masters and the US Open in the same year, which he achieved in 1998; this achievement has been dubbed the American Summer Slam.
The unexpected nature of his US Open title led many, including Hall-of-famer and four-time US Open champion John McEnroe to criticise Rafter as a "one-slam wonder". Rafter had a particularly strong year in 1998, winning the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Masters (Andre Agassi (1995), Andy Roddick (2003), and Rafael Nadal (2013) are the only other players to have won both of these tournaments in the same year).
Altogether, Rafter won six tournaments in 1998, finishing the year No.
He reached the top Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) singles ranking on 26 July 1999.
His career highlights include consecutive US Open titles in 1997 and 1998, consecutive runner-up appearances at Wimbledon in 2000 and 2001, winning the 1999 Australian Open men's doubles tournament alongside Jonas Björkman, and winning two singles and two doubles ATP Masters titles. He became the first man in the Open Era to win Canada Masters, Cincinnati Masters and the US Open in the same year, which he achieved in 1998; this achievement has been dubbed the American Summer Slam.
4 in the world. Rafter won the Australian Open men's doubles title in 1999 (partnering Jonas Björkman), making him one of few players in the modern era to win both a singles and doubles Grand Slam title during their career (fellow countryman Lleyton Hewitt would later achieve this feat in 2001).
He and Björkman also won a doubles titles at the ATP Masters Series event in Canada (1999) At the 1999 French Open, Rafter drew future world No.
Rafter then reached the Wimbledon semifinals for the first time in 1999, losing in straight sets to Agassi.
July 1999 saw Rafter holding the world No.
Rafter's shoulder injury wound up being serious enough to necessitate surgery. Due to injury, Rafter was unable to play in the 1999 Davis Cup final won by Australia; however, he won important matches in the earlier rounds to help the team qualify. ===Late career (2000–2003)=== Rafter's ranking had fallen to No.
Rafter played on the Australian teams that won the World Team Cup in 1999 and 2001. In 2001, Rafter reached the semifinals of the Australian Open.
His career highlights include consecutive US Open titles in 1997 and 1998, consecutive runner-up appearances at Wimbledon in 2000 and 2001, winning the 1999 Australian Open men's doubles tournament alongside Jonas Björkman, and winning two singles and two doubles ATP Masters titles. He became the first man in the Open Era to win Canada Masters, Cincinnati Masters and the US Open in the same year, which he achieved in 1998; this achievement has been dubbed the American Summer Slam.
21 by the time he reached the Wimbledon final in July 2000.
Sampras won in four sets. Rafter played on the Australian Davis Cup Team that lost in the final in 2000 (to Spain) and 2001 (to France).
This represented the first time that Rafter was able to defeat Edberg. ==Career statistics== ===Grand Slam performance timeline=== ====Finals: 4 (2 titles, 2 runner-ups)==== ==Video== Wimbledon 2000 Semi-Final – Agassi vs.
His career highlights include consecutive US Open titles in 1997 and 1998, consecutive runner-up appearances at Wimbledon in 2000 and 2001, winning the 1999 Australian Open men's doubles tournament alongside Jonas Björkman, and winning two singles and two doubles ATP Masters titles. He became the first man in the Open Era to win Canada Masters, Cincinnati Masters and the US Open in the same year, which he achieved in 1998; this achievement has been dubbed the American Summer Slam.
4 in the world. Rafter won the Australian Open men's doubles title in 1999 (partnering Jonas Björkman), making him one of few players in the modern era to win both a singles and doubles Grand Slam title during their career (fellow countryman Lleyton Hewitt would later achieve this feat in 2001).
Sampras won in four sets. Rafter played on the Australian Davis Cup Team that lost in the final in 2000 (to Spain) and 2001 (to France).
Rafter played on the Australian teams that won the World Team Cup in 1999 and 2001. In 2001, Rafter reached the semifinals of the Australian Open.
In a much anticipated match and replay of the 2001 Wimbledon final, Rafter faced Goran Ivanišević.
He played his last match at the Davis Cup final, winning the singles rubber but losing the doubles rubber. Rafter did not play any tour matches in 2002.
In 2002, he won the Australian of the Year award.
To date, only two players have followed this feat: Andy Roddick in 2003, and Rafael Nadal in 2013.
In January 2003, he announced his retirement from professional tennis, stating that he had lost all motivation to compete at the top level. ===Comebacks and post-retirement activities=== The 5,500-seat centre court of the Queensland Tennis Centre in Brisbane, Australia, was named Pat Rafter Arena in Rafter's honour.
This created some controversy, as he had spent much of his career residing in Bermuda for tax purposes. Rafter did return at the beginning of the 2004 season to play doubles at two tournaments only; the 2004 Australian Open and the 2004 AAPT Championships (in Adelaide).
However, he lost in round one of both events, playing alongside Joshua Eagle. In 2005, Rafter won the International Club's prestigious Jean Borotra Sportsmanship Award. He was elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame and inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2006.
However, he lost in round one of both events, playing alongside Joshua Eagle. In 2005, Rafter won the International Club's prestigious Jean Borotra Sportsmanship Award. He was elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame and inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2006.
On Australia Day 2008, Rafter was inducted into the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame. In 2009, as part of the Q150 celebrations, Rafter was announced as one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland for his role as a "sports legend". In October 2010, Rafter was announced as Australia's Davis Cup captain.
On Australia Day 2008, Rafter was inducted into the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame. In 2009, as part of the Q150 celebrations, Rafter was announced as one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland for his role as a "sports legend". In October 2010, Rafter was announced as Australia's Davis Cup captain.
The comeback, however, was short-lived, as the pair went down in straight sets to eventual runner-ups Eric Butorac and Raven Klaasen in the first round. ====ATP Champions Tour==== At the 2009 AEGON Masters Tennis, Rafter lost his opening round robin match against the 1987 Wimbledon Champion Pat Cash 2–6, 6–2, 10–6.
On Australia Day 2008, Rafter was inducted into the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame. In 2009, as part of the Q150 celebrations, Rafter was announced as one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland for his role as a "sports legend". In October 2010, Rafter was announced as Australia's Davis Cup captain.
To date, only two players have followed this feat: Andy Roddick in 2003, and Rafael Nadal in 2013.
He was succeeded by Wally Masur. On 12 January 2014, Rafter—then aged 41—announced that he would be partnering current Australian number one Lleyton Hewitt in the doubles draw of the 2014 Australian Open.
Rafter stood down as Australia's Davis Cup captain on 29 January 2015.
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