Back when Patrick Rafter was a youngster in the Australian state of Queensland, he used to scrounge for coins under the seats in his family's car. Whenever he found some money, he would hop on his bicycle and ride to the nearest store to buy Freddo-Frogs, his favorite chocolate candy.
Now 25, Rafter is enjoying other treats. The most delicious came when he shocked the tennis world by winning the 1997 U.S. Open to complete a breakthrough year on the ATP Tour.
Patrick shared the U.S. Open victory with his brother, Geoff, who coaches him. Then he called home to Australia. It was a lengthy phone call-and it had to be, since Rafter comes from the largest family of any ATP Tour Player. He is the third-youngest of nine children (five brothers and three sisters) who grew up in the town on Mount Isa.
"I can remember it was a pretty tough town. At school, I got picked on a little bit," Patrick says. "I wasn't much of a fighter. My brothers always looked after me. You know, whenever there was something going on, they would always be right beside me."
They really were right beside Patrick, since he shared a bedroom with his three older brothers growing up.
Patrick started playing tennis when he was 5. He and his brothers would ride their bicycles to the nearby tennis court, where a lifelong love of the sport was born.
He was ranked No. 5 in Australia in 1986 and joined the ATP Tour in 1991 at the age of 18. He made a name for himself two years later, when he earned the 1993 ATP Tour Newcomer of the Year award. He won his first pro career singles title in 1994 and rose to No. 21 in the world, but injuries in 1995 and 1996 stalled his steady climb toward the top.
Patrick rebounded nicely in 1997, entering the U.S. Open as the tournament's 13th seed. He stormed past Andre Agassi and Michael Chang, among others, to reach the finals, where he withstood Greg Rusedski's booming serve-including a 143 mph ace-to win in four sets. Patrick became the first Australian to win a Grand Slam title since Pat Cash won Wimbeldon in 1987.
"What I find the weirdest thing is that I still don't feel like I did it," Patrick says. "It's not believable to me. It's just such an amazing thing that's happened to me that I still don't believe it's happened."
Believe it or not, Rafter finished the year ranked No. 2 in the world and stole some of the spotlight from his fellow Aussie and sometimes doubles partner, hard-serving Mark Philipposis.
As any child from a large family knows, it feels good to get attention. But it's something Patrick is still getting used to.
"There's a time when it can become too much, but I don't have a problem dealing with it," Patrick says. "You know, it's something that you always want when you're a kid. When you get it, it's wrong to say that you don't want it anymore."
The increase in attention has been a welcome diversion for Patrick. Even though he's become a popular target for autograph seekers around the world, he doesn't mind.
"When I'm at home I like to go out with my friends," Patrick says. "If people want to come up and say 'G'day,' I have no problem with that. They've just got to understand that I'm there with my mates and I want to catch up with them."
The biggest adjustment for Patrick has been dealing with the prize money that's been rolling in. He won nearly $3 million in 1997, which is more than double what Patrick previously earned for his entire career. His biggest purchase was buying an apartment in his adopted home in Bermuda. He resisted the temptation of buying a fancy sports car partly because he's afraid of the salty ocean air will make it rust in a couple of years.
"I'm not really much of a business man," Patrick says. "But I'm pretty sensible with my money. I don't go spending it willy nilly." At least he doesn't have to hunt for spare change to buy Freddo-Frogs anymore.
