Rafter: I was embarrassing
January 9, 2004
PAT Rafter says he was embarrassed by his performance in his return to competitive tennis at the AAPT Championships last night.
Rafter partnered fellow Queenslander Josh Eagle in a doubles match at Memorial Drive in his first outing since Australia's losing Davis Cup final in December 2001.
But Rafter and Eagle lost the first round fixture to American Vincent Spadea and the Bahamas' Mark Merklein 6-3 4-6 3-6.
"It started off well," Rafter said.
"But it just progressively got worse and worse as the match went along.
"I could feel it going and I was trying my hardest to work out what I was doing wrong but the bread and butter things like the volleys just weren't happening.
"I returned (serve) as I left off returning in Davis Cup final doubles – it just wasn't happening.
"And I haven't missed that many volleys in a long time. It was embarrassing.
"I was just sitting their shaking my head wondering 'where did that come from'?"
Rafter received a rousing welcome from almost 3000 fans when he strode on to centre court last night, and confidently started with a scorching ace.
After three more big first serves, Rafter had held serve to love and announced his return in the most emphatic fashion.
But after taking the first set, Rafter's rustiness was evidenced by snatching at forehand volleys, dragging backhand volleys into the net and nearly colliding with Eagle as he followed a lob to his partner's side of the court.
Eagle didn't seem to mind – when a Rafter return hit him square in the back, he picked up the ball and belted it straight back at his amused partner.
The pair will contest the doubles at the Australian Open later this month.
AAP
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