The world of tennis is witness of great legends who left their mark on sport, such as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. But not all of these icons maintain their place in the spotlight after retirement. Some, like Patrick Rafterfound a new path in disciplines such as padela sport that is gaining ground among amateurs and former professionals.
Rafter, who reached the summit of ATP ranking and was champion of two US Open, Now he channels his competitive passion into paddle tennis. His history, full of achievements, rivalries and a unique style of play, continues to be remembered by tennis lovers, while his new life in paddle tennis surprises and motivates his followers.
What was Patrick Rafter’s career like?
Patrick was born on December 28, 1972 in Mount Isa, Australia, in a large and humble family. Since childhood he showed a natural interest in tennis, training with his father and brothers on local courts. His ability led him to stand out in youth tournaments, where he soon attracted the attention of coaches who saw in him a future star.
Rafter debuted in the professional circuit in 1991, but it wasn’t until the mid-90s when it began to show its true potential. His first great achievement came in 1997, when he surprised the world by winning the US Open, defeating figures like Michael Chang and Greg Rusedski. This title not only established him as an elite player, but also made him an icon of Australian tennis.
The following year was even more successful for this athlete, who defended his US Open title, beating Mark Philippoussis in the final. In addition, he achieved important victories in tournaments such as Cincinnati and Canada Masters. In 1999, he reached number one position in the worldalthough only for a week, making him the most fleeting leader in the history of the ATP ranking.
Among his best moments, his consecutive finals in Wimbledon in 2000 and 2001. Despite falling to Pete Sampras and Goran Ivanisevic, respectively, these matches are considered tennis classics for their intensity and technical quality. His time with the Australian team in the Davis Cup He also left his mark, leading the team in several finals.
Rafter retired in 2003, affected by injuries and a loss of motivation that he himself described as decisive. His style of play, based on an aggressive serve and volley, made him one of the best volleyers in history, and his humility on and off the court earned him the respect of fans and colleagues.
Patrick Rafter and his new life in padel
Away from the tennis circuit, Patrick found a new passion in paddle tennis, a sport that is experiencing explosive growth around the world. In 2024, at 51 years old, the Australian surprised by participating in the FIP Rise Australian Open, an international paddle tennis tournament, although he was eliminated in the first round. This event marked his official debut on the sport’s circuit.
The Australian Tennis Federation appointed Rafter as founding ambassador of Paddle Australia, highlighting his commitment to promoting this discipline. “I love this game, It’s a new and exciting challenge. It has a unique strategy that makes it different from tennis,” Rafter explained in an interview with the FIP.
Although his professional stage in paddle tennis is just beginning, his passion for learning and competing keeps him motivated. Rafter noted that what he enjoys most is the tactical aspect and teamwork, characteristics that differentiate it from tennis. “It’s like chess in motion; winning requires cunning and synchronization with your partner,” he commented.
Source: Ambito
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