Rafter現在連澳網雙打也會參賽了.
Rafter to play at Open
By Leo Schlink
December 24, 2003
PAT Rafter's comeback plans accelerated dramatically last night when the former world No.1 committed to the Australian Open doubles ahead of his singles return.
Rafter, who turns 31 on Sunday, has entered doubles at the AAPT championship in Adelaide from January 5 with fellow Queenslander Josh Eagle as a lead-up to the Australian Open at Melbourne Park from January 19.
The dual US Open champion will use the event to prepare for his clash with fellow grand slam champion Mats Wilander in Townsville on February 2.
Rafter has kept his comeback plans a closely guarded secret.
Twice a Wimbledon finalist, Rafter has not played competitively since Australia's 2-3 loss to France in the 2001 Davis Cup final at Rod Laver Arena.
The right-hander was effectively forced out of the game with a stress fracture in his right arm after also battling chronic shoulder problems.
Rafter has kept fit over the past two years by helping his long-time mentor Tony Roche coach juniors in Sydney.
Rafter describes his singles return in Townsville against Swedish Davis Cup captain Wilander as purely experimental and it is understood he has no set plans about a permanent return to the circuit.
But Rafter is clearly determined to do well in far north Queensland against fellow former world No.1 Wilander, who will take a short break from his captaincy duties, leaving his players to prepare in Adelaide for the first-round tie with Australia.
Rafter, one of the sport's most charismatic champions, has been a regular target for promoters attempting to lure him out of retirement.
But the unpretentious serve-volleyer has preferred to spend his time living quietly in Sydney with his partner, Lara Feltham, and their young son, Josh.
The former star has devoted much of his time to charity work and business pursuits but, two years younger than Andre Agassi, an injury-free Rafter is still clearly curious about how his body will cope with the rigours of occasional appearances.
Rafter has been a virtual stranger to tennis events in Australia since his retirement two years ago but has remained in close contact with players such as Lleyton Hewitt.
Herald Sun
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