|
THE SCOOP: THURSDAY, JANUARY 9
Patrick Rafter officially calls it quits
Australian heartthrob ends career with two Grand Slam trophies
By Sandra Harwitt
tennisreporters.net
The official announcement – anticlimactic that it was – came on the heels of sunlight Friday morning in Australia. Only hours before the official draw is made for the 2003 Australian Open and Australia's beloved native son – Patrick Rafter – told the world that after a year's absence from the game, he will not rejoin the tour.
"I know it's been a while coming, but I am announcing my official retirement from professional tennis," said Rafter, a two-time US Open champion, in a letter sent to the international media. "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."
The 30-year-old Queensland native went off on sabbatical after 2001, but left the door open for his return. But as the months crept forward last year and he did not reemerge for another attempt at Wimbledon – where he had reached the final the previous two years – it seemed more and more likely that the popular Rafter was gone for good.
Rafter, the first Australian to become No. 1 (July 1999) since John Newcombe in July 1974, started to experience serious shoulder problems soon after attaining the top position and underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery to his right shoulder in October 1999. While he returned to the tour after surgery, there was never any doubt that the shoulder situation was worrisome. And in late 2001, Rafter sustained stress fracture injuries to his arm and spent the early part of 2002 recuperating. The remainder of last year, however, was special for Rafter, who was enjoying the arrival of son, Joshua Patrick, despite constantly wrestling with the issue of whether he still had the desire to play professional tennis.
He said, "If I couldn't commit to giving 100 percent 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."
Rafter understands that by departing the game at this juncture he leaves unfinished business behind, but appears willing to accept that the two trophies he probably wanted more than any others – Wimbledon and Davis Cup – will never belong to him. He also never got past the semis in his homeland's Grand Slam.
"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," Rafter said, in his retirement announcement. "However, I feel I can leave the game, satisfied with my achievements, knowing that I gave it my all.
"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."
THE TOTAL PACKAGE
For anyone who knew Patrick Rafter, there is no denying that tennis will sorely miss his presence. Rafter was the total package – he was a talented and fiercely determined competitor, a good-looking "Down Under" offering who made People's list of Sexiest Men in the world, and a truly unassuming and classy guy in a world where unassuming and classy can be hard to find.
Rafter is the type of person who was so intent on living up to his obligations that when his shoulder injury initially surfaced, he met his tournament commitments instead of taking needed time off, a choice that certainly had to aggravate the problem. He's also the type person that when faced with no choice but to withdraw from a tournament because of the injury, exclusively admitted that he was going to have to pull out of the event to this reporter, but asked if I could hold the news until the following morning when he would travel to the tournament in person to tell them he wouldn't be able to play.
Tennis needs more Patrick Rafters – plain and simple. And it would be a safe bet that the game will not forget this special champion, who won 11 career titles, including the '97 and '98 US Opens, as one of the best.
And, of course, he went out on a high note, making sure to thank anyone who had a part in his tennis life.
"A big thank you to my tennis fans in Australia and worldwide for their tremendous support and patience as I debated my future," he said. "I would also like to thank my partner Lara, my family, Newk (John Newcombe), Tennis Australia and the ATP. Special thanks though must go to Rochey (Tony Roche), who has been instrumental in my development as a tennis player and played an integral role in any successes that I achieved."
|
