Australian tennis legend Pat Rafter has loved watching the rise of his younger countryman whereas additionally marvelling on the stage attained by new superstars similar to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 8 January 2025 | Sean A’Hearn
Becoming a member of The Sit-Down podcast on the tail finish of 2024, Pat Rafter is optimistic about Australian tennis.
“It’s good, it’s wholesome. It’s actually wholesome competitiveness and that’s what tennis is at proper now,” the previous world No.1 stated.
With 9 Australian males presently within the high 100, there’s little question that Australian tennis is in good condition. Because of this, the acquainted names of Rafter, Hewitt and Philippoussis are being introduced up once more.
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Requested about this comparability to the final nice period of Australian tennis, Rafter is worked up to see so many Aussie gamers pushing one another increased up the rankings.
“That’s what drives the following high 10 guys. Alex (de Minaur) is within the high 10. Does it get Nick (Kyrgios), Jordan Thompson or (Alexei) Popyrin into the highest 10?” Rafter stated.
“There’s all these guys knocking on the door.”
Probably the most humble No.1 🙏
Pat Rafter joins The Sit-Down to discuss his illustrious profession 👉🎧 https://t.co/Jdq8pJfQdh pic.twitter.com/WMA9GGEUvt
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 6, 2025
Since retiring in 2001, Rafter nonetheless follows the sport however has since explored the world past tennis, flying the flag for one of many world’s fastest-growing racquet sports activities: padel.
The 2-time US Open champion will compete within the much-anticipated Purple Bull Rally Professional on the Australian Open’s dynamic TOPCOURT precinct.
“Padel is a enjoyable sport. It’s new, it’s thrilling. I’m studying,” Rafter stated. “I play this sport proper now and I’m loving and having fun with it.”
Whereas Rafter doesn’t play a lot tennis anymore, he’s nonetheless concerned with the AO Legends occasion this 12 months, which he totally enjoys.
He additionally offered the successful trophy on the 2024 Brisbane Worldwide to Grigor Dimitrov, which brings again reminiscences for the Australian, after whom the match’s centre court docket is called.
“It’s fairly cool as a result of your identify is up there within the massive blue lights of Brisbane,” he stated. “It does take you again to being there.”
Trying again on his profession, Rafter has ticked all of the packing containers. Except for his two US Open victories in 1997 and 1998, he has additionally featured in two Wimbledon finals, has two ATP Masters titles, and achieved many different notable milestones.
He’s additionally in elite firm as one among solely three males within the Open period, alongside the good Rod Laver and Stefan Edberg, to have made the semifinals of all 4 Grand Slams in singles and doubles.
Whereas Rafter doesn’t prefer to mirror too deeply on particular profession moments, he’s extraordinarily pleased with his achievements, significantly his first US Open title. “When it comes to profession altering, it was undoubtedly successful the US Open last in ’97,” he stated.
“To me successful a Grand Slam is what it’s all about.”
Rafter additionally factors to his memorable rivalry with Andre Agassi, the pair enjoying three semifinals in a row at Wimbledon from 1999-2001.
With typical Rafter-esque self-deprecation nevertheless, it was his first encounter with Agassi at Wimbledon that he recollects.
“I performed loads of nice matches in opposition to Andre Agassi, just a few at Wimbledon. They have been superior,” Rafter mirrored. “I bought to play on Centre Court docket at Wimbledon in ’93. He kicked my arse, however it was a lot enjoyable.”
Whereas most followers level to the thrilling 2001 Wimbledon last because the closest Rafter bought to successful on the All-England Membership, the 52-year-old argues his greatest likelihood was really in opposition to Pete Sampras the earlier 12 months.
“The one I used to be most likely nearer with to successful was in opposition to Pete, in some ways. That was the one the place I felt actually nervous. I had him. I bought actually tight,” Rafter admitted.
“Whereas with Goran I bought near him however I didn’t have the identical alternatives I believed I had with Sampras.”
Trying forward, Rafter thinks tennis typically is in good condition, mirrored by each the report crowds on the Australian Open and the likes of Sinner and Alcaraz bringing these followers by the gates.
“The Aussie Open is greater than any participant proper now. Prime gamers will at all times come alongside. And also you see, once more, energy in Sinner and Alcaraz, my god. And also you have a look at them enjoying and say, ‘wow, they’re superior’.”
“They maintain coming, it retains taking place and it’ll proceed to maintain taking place within the males’s and the ladies’s sport. I’ve little question about it.”
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