July 2001 (30/07/2001)
Rafter Takes a Swing at the Major Leagues
Aussie star picks up a baseball bat at the Montreal Expos.
Taking a break from his preparation for the Tennis Masters Series Montreal, Patrick Rafter spent Saturday afternoon at the park. The ballpark, that is.
Rafter paid a visit to Major League Baseball's Montreal Expos, but hardly found time to rest. After touring the team's clubhouse in the early afternoon, he suited up in full uniform and went through a pre-game practice session including team stretches, warm ups, batting practice, fielding drills and media interviews.
Wearing the No. 47 jersey in honor of fellow Aussie, Graeme Lloyd, a pitcher for the Expos, Rafter took the chance to catch up with his countryman. "I had met him a few years back," Rafter said. "But I was glad to be able to come here and see what these guys go through on a game day. He showed me the ropes."
"It's like cricket."
Following the team's stretching and warm-up session, Rafter received some batting advice from Expos legend Tim Raines. "I had a little trouble getting my body momentum when I was hitting. It felt awkward, not like a tennis racket," the newly converted slugger said. "It's kind of like cricket, but cricket is a lot more forgiving." After making contact with several pitches, Rafter took his turn in the outfield shagging fly balls, while the real major leaguers took their cuts.
His day could not be completed without a visit from the ever-present media throng, which he reminded that he'd prefer sticking to tennis. "It's always great to see the preparation of other athletes. These guys show up hours before the game and go through all this, and then play more than 100 games. I'm not sure I could do that, and I really don't think I like the way the uniform fits."
(28/07/2001)
Seeded draws for Montreal
(1) Gustavo Kuerten VS. Qualifier
(2) Marat Safin VS. Nicolas Escude
(3) Andre Agassi VS. Qualifier
(4) Juan Carlos Ferrero VS. Jiri Novak
(5) LLeyton Hewitt VS. S. Larose
(6) Yevgeny Kafelnikov VS. Todd Martin
(7) Tim Henman VS. Dominik Hrbaty
(8) Alex Corretja VS. Daniel Nestor
(9) Patrick Rafter VS. Harel Levy
(10) Arnaud Clement VS. Qualifier
(11) Pete Sampras VS. Francisco Clavet
(12) Thomas Enqvist VS. Nicolas Kiefer
(13) Thomas Johansson VS. G. Coria
(14) Carlos Moya VS. Greg Rusedski
(15) Wayne Ferreira VS. A. Vinciguerra
(16) Jan-Michael Gambill VS. Sjeng Schalken
(25/07/2001)
Rafter ready for US Open, says brother
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Pat Rafter is getting ready steadily for the U.S. Open after the disappointment of losing the Wimbledon final to wildcard Goran Ivanisevic two weeks ago, his brother and manager said on Tuesday.
The likeable Australian was beaten in five thrilling sets by Ivanisevic on July 9 and has spent much of the past two weeks putting his feet up at his Bermuda home.
He returns to court in the Canadian Open on hardcourts in Montreal this week in the lead-up to the U.S. Open, the last of the year's four grand slam titles which begins in New York on August 27.
"He's only been out of it for two-and-a-half weeks, so his form should still be pretty good," Rafter's brother and manager Steve said.
He said his brother would remain one of the headline players at Flushing Meadow after winning the title -- his only two grand slam title victories -- in 1997 and 1998.
"Pat will be one of the handfuls of guys who everyone will be watching out for," Steve Rafter said.
"If Pat's healthy he will be a real threat.''
(20/07/2001)
SURVEY: Pat in Tennis Hall of Fame
Tennis.com is having a survey on whether Patrick Rafter should be included in the Tennis Hall of Fame. Tell them what you think here.
(10/07/2001)
Goran Beats Rafter in Five-Set Epic
In one of the most dramatic Wimbledon finals ever, Goran Ivanisevic held his nerve on his fourth match point to beat Pat Rafter 6-3 3-6 6-3 2-6 9-7 and become Champion. Full Story
(09/07/2001)
Patrick Rafter at Wimbledon
Round 1
Defeated Daniel Vacek
6-2, 7-6, 6-3
Round 2
Defeated Slava Dosedel
7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1Round 3
Defeated Hicham Arazi
7-6, 6-4, 7-5Round 4
Defeated Michael Youzhny
2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5Quarter Finals
Defeated Thomas Enqvist
6-1, 6-3, 7-6Semi Finals
Defeated Andre Agassi
2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2, 8-6Finals
Defeated by Goran Ivanisevic
6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 2-6, 9-7
