Pat Rafter is a former Australian professional tennis player who was born on December 28, 1972, in Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia. He is known for his serve-and-volley style of play and his success in both singles and doubles events. Rafter began his professional career in 1991 and quickly rose to prominence, winning his first ATP singles title in 1994.
Throughout his career, Rafter won two US Open singles titles in 1997 and 1998, reached the Wimbledon final twice in 2000 and 2001, and won the Davis Cup with the Australian team in 1999 and 2003. He also achieved success in doubles events, winning the Australian Open doubles title in 1999 and 2001, and the US Open doubles title in 1999.
In addition to his success on the court, Rafter was known for his sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct, earning the ATP Sportsmanship Award three times. He retired from professional tennis in 2003 but continued to stay involved in the sport as a coach and mentor.
Rafter’s legacy as a player and a person continues to inspire young athletes and fans around the world. His success and sportsmanship on the court, combined with his humility and kindness off the court, have earned him a special place in the hearts of tennis fans everywhere.
After retiring from professional tennis, Pat Rafter remained involved in the sport, serving as the captain of the Australian Davis Cup team from 2010 to 2015. Under his leadership, the team reached the semifinals in 2011 and 2015, and Rafter was praised for his ability to mentor and inspire young players.
In addition to his work in tennis, Rafter has been involved in several philanthropic endeavors. He has been a strong advocate for environmental conservation and has worked with several organizations to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the environment. He has also been involved with several charities that focus on children’s health and education, including the Starlight Children’s Foundation and the Ronald McDonald House.
Rafter’s achievements both on and off the court have earned him numerous accolades and awards. He was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2006, and in 2011, he was named the Australian Father of the Year. He has also been recognized for his contributions to the sport of tennis, including being named the ATP Player of the Year in 1997 and 1998, and receiving the ATP Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award in 2001.
Pat Rafter’s legacy as a tennis player and a role model is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and humility. His success on the court, combined with his commitment to giving back to the community, has made him a beloved figure in the world of tennis and beyond.
Pat Rafter – Players Statistics
- Height: 6’1″ (185 cm)
- Weight: 190 lbs (86 kg)
- Born: December 28, 1972
- Birthplace: Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia
- Turned Pro: 1991
- Plays: Right-handed (one-handed backhand)
- Career prize money: $11,128,145 USD
- Career singles titles: 11
- Career doubles titles: 10
- Career singles win-loss record: 358-191
- Career doubles win-loss record: 269-140
- Highest singles ranking: No. 1 (July 26, 1999)
- Highest doubles ranking: No. 6 (July 9, 2001)
- US Open singles titles: 2 (1997, 1998)
- Wimbledon singles runner-up: 2 (2000, 2001)
- Australian Open singles quarterfinalist: 2 (1996, 2001)
- French Open singles quarterfinalist: 1 (1997)
- Olympic Games singles semifinalist: 1 (2000)
- Davis Cup singles record: 28-11
- Davis Cup doubles record: 6-5
- Davis Cup titles: 2 (1999, 2003)
- ATP Sportsmanship Award: 3 (2000, 2001, 2003)
- ATP Player of the Year: 2 (1997, 1998)
- ATP Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award: 2001
- International Tennis Hall of Fame inductee: 2006
- Most aces served in a single match: 38 (1999 US Open quarterfinals)
- Fastest serve recorded: 142 mph (228 km/h)
- Career Grand Slam doubles titles: 1 (Australian Open, 1999, 2001)
- Career Grand Slam mixed doubles titles: 1 (Wimbledon, 1999)
- Grand Slam doubles finalist: 2 (Wimbledon, 2000, US Open, 2000)
- ATP Masters Series singles titles: 3
- ATP Masters Series doubles titles: 2
- ATP World Tour Finals doubles titles: 1
- ATP World Tour Finals singles runner-up: 1
- Most Davis Cup singles wins in a year by an Australian: 8 (2001)
- Davis Cup singles winning percentage: 71.8%
- ATP singles matches won in a season: 61 (1998)
- ATP doubles matches won in a season: 47 (2000)
- ATP singles match winning percentage: 65.3%
- ATP doubles match winning percentage: 65.7%
- Grand Slam singles titles won without dropping a set: 1 (US Open, 1997)
- Career Grand Slam singles semifinals: 2 (Australian Open, Wimbledon)
- Career Grand Slam doubles semifinals: 3
- Career Grand Slam mixed doubles semifinals: 1
- Career Grand Slam doubles quarterfinals: 3
- Career Grand Slam mixed doubles quarterfinals: 2
- ATP Comeback Player of the Year: 1998
- Longest match won by time: 4 hours, 56 minutes (1999 Australian Open, fourth round)
- Shortest match won by time: 52 minutes (1995 Wimbledon, first round)
- Career win-loss record on grass: 103-39.
Notable Quotes by Pat Rafter
- “Tennis is just a game, family is forever.”
- “I’ve learned over the years that it’s not just about winning or losing, it’s about enjoying the journey.”
- “The greatest thing about tennis is that you never stop learning.”
- “Playing doubles is like a marriage, you have to communicate well and work together to be successful.”
- “I always believed that if you put in the hard work and effort, the results will come.”
- “Success is not just about winning, it’s also about how you handle defeat.”
- “I think the key to my success was my attitude and work ethic, I always tried to give 100%.”
- “In tennis, you have to be mentally tough and resilient, because you never know what challenges you’ll face.”
- “Tennis is a great metaphor for life, you have to stay focused, work hard, and never give up.”
- “I’ve had my share of injuries and setbacks, but I always tried to stay positive and keep pushing forward.”