Patrick Rafter Announces Retirement
The Australian ends successful career.Two-time Grand Slam champion Patrick Rafter announced his retirement from competitive tennis on Friday, January 10, 2003. The 30-year-old's last event was the Davis Cup final in Melbourne at the end of 2001, where he scored a win over Sebastien Grosjean. He then had to pull out of the decisive singles match because of a shoulder injury, and the Australian team lost 3-2 to France.
"I know it's been a while coming, but I am announcing my official retirement from professional tennis. As you can probably understand, it has been a very difficult decision for me to make, which is why it took me some time to be sure I was making the right decision," said Rafter in a press release. Rafter sat out the 2002 season to recover from his injuries and contemplate his future in tennis. During that time he and his girlfriend Lara Feltham saw the birth of their first child, Joshua Patrick, in August.
"After taking several months for my arm to recover from stress fracture injuries I sustained in late 2001, I wanted to make sure that besides gaining physical fitness, I still had the motivation to compete. If I couldn't commit to giving 100% to the game, then there would be no point in returning. By the end of 2002, the motivation just wasn't there and my decision was made," continued the Australian.
"I will have regrets that the Wimbledon and Davis Cup trophies are not in my cupboard, but that's sport, you win some and you lose some. However, I feel I can leave the game, satisfied with my achievements, knowing that I gave it my all," said Rafter, who won the US Open trophy in 1997 and 1998 and lost in the Wimbledon final twice.
"I loved being a professional player, competing with the world's best and making new friends all over the world. I will certainly miss some aspects of the game in my retirement, but for now, I need to stay home and focus on the new developments in my life."
"I haven't made any decisions about my future yet, and I'm not in any hurry. Now that I've officially retired, I feel like my mind is free to make decisions beyond competing in the tennis arena."
Rafter, who turned professional in 1991, captured a total of 11 singles titles and ten doubles titles in his career. His last tournament win came in Indianapolis in 2001, where he defeated Gustavo Kuerten in the final.
A Super Star and a Gentleman
Rafter was one of the most admired players the game has seen.For tennis fans in Australia and around the world, it was an announcement they feared would come, but hoped it would not. Pat Rafter has retired - officially.
Although speculation was strong that the two-time Grand Slam champion and former world No.1 would not return to the ATP circuit - the odds of a comeback grew proportionally with his absence from the game - loyal fans never fully gave up hope.
Rafter won back-to-back US Opens in 1997 and '98 and was a beaten Wimbledon finalist in 2000 and 2001. His 9-7 in the fifth set loss to Goran Ivanisevic in the 2001 final was one of the most dramatic ever played at the All England Club.
Rafter won 11 singles titles from 25 career finals. He won Tennis Masters Series titles in Canada and Cincinnati and was a Masters Series finalist on four other occasions. By reaching the Roland Garros semifinals in 1997 and the Australian Open semifinals in 2001, Rafter made it to the semifinal stage or better at the four Grand Slams.
But results alone do not reflect the impact Rafter had on the sport. A born-and-bred serve/volleyer, Rafter's athleticism and fast hands at the net thrilled fans in an era when serve/volley tennis had all but been abandoned by modern players.
Despite rising to world No.1, Rafter never lost his humility, remaining polite and friendly to all throughout his career. On the court, Rafter developed a trademark of saying "Sorry, mate" to his opponents whenever he caught his service toss.
He made large donations to charity and established his own Cherish the Children Foundation. He earned the ATP's Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award and won the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award four times.
Rafter had not played since December 2001 when he defeated Sebastien Grosjean on the first day of the Australia-France Davis Cup final in Melbourne. Desperate to be part of a winning Davis Cup team, Rafter was unable to back up for the reverse singles and watched from the sidelines as France took the Cup 3-2.
Rafter, who was last year named Australian of the Year, is now enjoying life with partner Lara and their son Joshua, who is now five months old.
The third youngest of nine children, Rafter was born into a tight-knit family in the rugged outback Queensland mining town of Mt. Isa. From the most humble of beginnings, he rose to the pinnacle of his sport and left a mark that will long be remembered.
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