PLAYER PROFILE

Pat Rafter

  • Age50
  • Born28 December 1972
  • Birth PlaceMt Isa, Queensland
  • PlaysRight-handed
  • Playing StatusRetired
  • Australian Tennis Hall Of Fame2008
  • International Tennis Hall Of Fame2006

Singles champion
United States 1997-98

Doubles champion
Australian 1999

Davis Cup
1994-2001
Captain 2011-

Popular both on and off the court, Pat Rafter captured back-to-back US Open titles in 1997 and 1998 – the only Australian to do so in the Open era. Rafter was known and admired for his serve-and-volley style, which suited the grass courts of Wimbledon, where he was a dual finalist in 2000 and 2001 and semifinalist in 1999. He also made the semis at the Australian and French opens. Rafter was respected for his sportsmanship, which saw him honoured with the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award and four ATP Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Awards. A winner of 11 ATP singles titles and 10 doubles titles, including Australian Open 1999 (with Swede Jonas Bjorkman), Rafter was also a regular inclusion in Australia’s Davis Cup teams between 1994 and 2001. He finished with a 21-11 win-loss record (18-10 in singles, 3-1 in doubles). The 2001 Davis Cup final was his last event. Within weeks of his retirement, Rafter was named Australian of the Year in 2002.

Pat Rafter in the news

Toronto: De Minaur storms into first ATP Masters final
Alex De Minaur of Australia celebrates after winning his Toronto Masters semifinal against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain. (Getty Images)
12 August, 2023

Alex de Minaur dominated Alejandro Davidovich Fokina to become the first Aussie since Pat Rafter in 2001 to reach the Canadian Masters final, and takes a step closer to…
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Aussie mates all set for Roland Garros opening-round battle
Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson teamed up for doubles at Australian Open 2023. Picture: Tennis Australia
30 May, 2023

Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson are scheduled to play each other today in opening-round singles action at Roland Garros 2023.
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De Minaur: “It’s amazing to see nine Aussies in the top 130”
Thanasi Kokkinakis, James Duckworth and Alex de Minaur are among the top-ranked Aussie men. Pictures: Getty Images
6 May, 2022

Thanasi Kokkinakis, James Duckworth and Alex de Minaur are leading the charge in an exciting time for Australian men's tennis.
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Peers and Polasek crowned Indian Wells doubles champions
John Peers and Filip Polasek celebrate their Indian Wells victory. Picture: Indian Wells
17 October, 2021

Australian John Peers has won his fourth career ATP Masters 1000 doubles title, securing the Indian Wells crown alongside Slovak Filip Polasek.
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