Aussie tennis legend Pat Rafter has made a shock admission about the sport that made him a household name around the world: he tries to get out of being on court whenever possible.
Rafter was one of Australia’s most successful modern-era tennis players, best known for winning back-to-back US Open titles in 1997 and 1998.
He reached a career-high world No.1 ranking in 1999 and was a two-time Wimbledon finalist, finishing runner-up in 2000 and 2001.
Rafter was a dominant serve-and-volley player and a key figure in Australia’s Davis Cup triumphs in 1999 and 2003.
He retired in 2002 due to injury, leaving a legacy as one of the last great exponents of attacking tennis.
However, Rafter has now admitted he tries to avoid playing tennis despite having a court at his home.
Pat Rafter was a two-time US Open champion and one of the great serve-and-volley players of the modern era
Rafter and his wife Lara now live on 70 acres in Byron Bay where they have their own tennis court
‘Well… it’s not my favourite sport to play,’ he told Triple M.
‘I play paddle tennis. It’s like a cross between squash and tennis.
‘That’s what I play and look forward to.
‘We have a tennis court at home and my wife plays, so I bought her a ball machine because I thought… I’m not getting on the court.’
That brought a chorus of laughter from the Triple M panel, with Mick Molloy saying: ‘Your partner is one of the greatest tennis players to ever take the court and you’re up the back hitting with a ball machine.’
‘She can play tennis and I can mow the lawn,’ Rafter replied.
The tennis great remains active in sport as a leading advocate for Padel, serving as the founding ambassador for Padel Australia and competing internationally for the country.
He lives with his wife Lara in the Byron Bay hinterland, where he focuses on family life, nature, and ongoing property development projects.
Rafter admits that tennis is no longer his favourite sport, but still returned to the court for an exhibition match with legends to kick off the Australian Open
Rafter teamed up with Lleyton Hewitt (pictured) to take on tennis champions Roger Federer and Andre Agassi
Agassi, Federer, Rafter and Hewitt pose with Australian tennis legend Rod Laver at Melbourne Park
Rafter also stays connected to tennis through occasional commentary and promotional appearances, including a high-profile campaign playfully ‘selling’ the Australian Open venue for realestate.com.au.
Away from competition, he embraced a quieter lifestyle while still supporting charity events and enjoying an active, outdoors-focused routine.
However Rafter did return to Rod Laver Arena as part of a special Australian Open opening ceremony, stepping back onto the court alongside fellow former world No.1s Roger Federer, Andre Agassi and Lleyton Hewitt.
The two-time US Open champion looked at ease as the group entertained fans with a relaxed exhibition doubles match filled with humour and nostalgia.
‘I got through the match the other night, which I was relieved in,’ he said.
‘[Andre] Agassi got to hide for a little bit because he was playing that bad. It was a lot of fun.’
When asked who took it the most seriously, Rafter replied ‘probably me’ with a laugh.
‘The whole idea was don’t make a fool of yourself and between me and Andre, we felt the pressure and we did make a fool of ourselves,’ he said.
