Patrick Rafter

Tennis

Patrick Rafter was born in Mount Isa, the seventh of nine children. His tennis career began at the tender age of five on the hot bitumen courts of Queensland, where he played with his father and three older brothers. After many years playing in amateur tennis associations, he turned his attention to the professional tennis circuit in 1991.

Pat's innate ability and skill were recognised in 1993 when he was named ATP Tour Newcomer of the Year. He won his first career singles title at Manchester in 1994 and finished the year ranked 21st.

In 1997 Pat won his first Grand Slam title, the US Open. He was the first Australian to win a US Open since John Newcombe in 1973 and the first to win a grand slam event since Pat Cash at Wimbledon in 1987. By the end of 1997 Pat was the No. 2 ranked player in the world behind Pete Sampras. In 1998 he won the US Open again at Flushing Meadows.

In 1999, Pat was ranked World No. 1, the first Australian to achieve this since John Newcombe in 1974. However, a shoulder injury forced him to retire in the first round of the 1999 US Open and end his season early. In 2000 and 2001 he played in successive finals at Wimbledon losing to Pete Sampras in 2000 and Goran Ivanisevic in 2001.

Although the glory of tennis is largely achieved as a singles player, Pat places priority on playing as part of a team representing Australia in the Davis Cup. He was part of the 2000 and 2001 Davis Cup teams who were runners-up.

In 2002 Pat retired from the game and was named Australian of the Year.