Pat Rafter

Pat Rafter is a now retired, former professional tennis player who was greatly admired both on and off the court. The highlight of his great career was surely winning the US Open not once, but twice, in consecutive seasons. That was in 1997 and 1998 respective-ly and made Pat the only Australian to ever have done so. he was someone known and admired for his slick serve and volley style, with a great opening shot often followed up by him charging to the next to pound back a fast return. It’s a style that made him most suited to the grass courts of London Grand Slam tournament Wimbledon and in fact he made it to the finals there in both the year 2000 as well as a year later in 2001. He also succeed-ed in reaching the semi-final in 199 and in his career reached the semis at both the French and Australian opens. A fine sportsmen, dedicated professional and great role model respected by all, Pat was honoured with the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award and four ATP Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Awards for his great character on the court. In all, Pat picked up 11 ATP singles titles and 10 doubles titles, one of which was the 1999 Australian Open with part-ner and Swede, Jonas Bjorkman. Pat also regularly made the national Davis Cup team and played many times for them between 1994 and 2001. He last played in that tourna-ment in 2001, just before retiring, and not long after doing so he was named Australian of the Year in 2002.