THE NAKED TRUTH by Craig Gabriel 1997


He's the world's sexiest athlete and reportedly earned $7 million last year. But Patrick Rafter still does his own laundry when at home in Bermuda and used to scavenge for one cent pieces as a young boy. Craig Gabriel reveals an intimate side to Australia's newest sporting superstar.

Q. Let's start with the US Open trophy. Will you keep it at your parents' place?

A. I think I will because I've got all my other crystal things there. I think I'll keep everything there. But when I set up my own place, it will definitely be on my mantelpiece.

Q. Let's go back a bit. Tell me about growing up in Mt. Isa.

A. I can remember it being very hot. I remember we used to run around without any shoes on - our feet were bloody tough. I can remember it was a pretty rough town. At school I was beaten up a little - I wasn't much of a fighter. My brothers always looked after me. Whenever there was something going on, they would always be right beside me.

We always used to run down to the tennis courts. It was about half a kilometre down the road. Dad would never let us ride bikes (to the courts), but that never stopped us trying to sneak out on our push bikes. I remember getting one cent coins from underneath the seats in the car and going down and buying Freddo Frogs.

Q. It would have been a very happy childhood.

A. It was. You grow up with four guys in one room and three sisters in another room. So we always had a lot of things to do. We had lots of fun in the back yard. We used to have a little butterfly collection. I used to go out with my tennis racquet and kill butterflies and put them on my windowsill . I remember that. But tennis and soccer were the two sports I loved. I used to do athletics as well.

Q. It sounds like you think it all feels like light-years ago.

A. It does, actually. I left when I was 7 years old and moved to Eumundi, which is 15 mins inland from Noosa Heads in Qld. It does seem a long, long time ago, unfortunately. I guess you wish you could have it back.

Q. Is that where the family is now, or in Brisbane?

A. Yeah. Well, it's probably more Brisbane, but I think my father's had the farm up there for 30-35 years. Even when we were in Mt. Isa, he had the farm - 350 acres there. Now he's dividing it up and I think we're all going to live up there, the family.

Q. How do you think you're going to cope with all the fame?

A. No idea. As long as I can keep a smile on my face, I think that's the most important thing, and try to help people when I can. I don't want to get pushed around too much and have my privacy invaded. I guess I have to find the fine line and go around with my brother Pete as my bodyguard if I get in any trouble.


Q. Do you like all the attention?

A. It is nice, but there's a time when I guess it can become too much. But I don't have a problem dealing with it. You know, it's something that you always want when you're a kid. When you get it, it's wrong to say that you don't want it anymore.


Q. Are you a very private person?

A. Not really - I'm pretty outgoing. When I go home, I like to go out. As long as people can leave me alone, there's no problem. If people want to come up and say g'day, I have no problem with having a quick word. They've got to understand I'm here with my mates as well, and I want to catch up with them. It's part and parcel of doing well, I guess.


Q. Do you think you've changed a lot since the first burst of fame you had a couple of years ago? And if you have, why?

A. I've definitely matured a lot since that time in 94, and the Agassi match in 95 when I wasn't coping that well with the pressure. Now I feel like I've got my life under control. I know what I want, where I'm going and who I want in my life at the moment. I think what I have learned is what makes me happy.


Q. In the space of 1 month, you earned more money than any other Australian player in the entire season. Do you think about all the money?

A. I thought about it just before, actually. If I'm playing for $500,000 or $1 million, whatever, it doesn't really enter my mind on court. Money is nice, but it's come to a point now where I don't know what to do with it. I don't need a car. I guess my family will want it. I guess I'd better give it to them!


Q. Are the sums of money vulgar in pro tennis?

A. Yeah, a little bit. It doesn't do a lot for me because of the way I was brought up. My parents have been amazing. Mum used to make my clothes, all those sorts of things. I don't go out and look for brand names. I don't need the fast cars. I don't need the Gianni Versace suits.


Q. Living in Bermuda, it's not really a place where a car is essential?

A. Definitely. The cars rust after about 4 years because of the salt water. The speed limit is 35kph. I have a moped that I rent when I go there. I have a ball on that. That's why I have more fun on that than I would in a nice car.

I love Porsches, I love Ferraris, I love these cars. Maybe later I might want to buy one. At this stage, I have no need for a car. Mercedes look after me when I go to Australia - they give me a car in every city I go to, which is fantastic. And the houses and things don't really turn me on too much because I can't spend all my time there.


Q. What do you spend your money on?

A. I haven't really spent it. I've just invested it at the moment.


Q. What in?

A. I have shares in Bermuda, Bank of Butterfield. I've bought a little place in Australia and I bought my apartment in Bermuda. That's a fair bit of money tied up there. The rest, I give to my brother and say to invest it or have a bit of fun. I guess I might as well start flying first class everywhere instead of business class.


Q. You mean you haven't been doing that so far?

A. I flew first after the Davis Cup to Munich. I usually just fly business class everywhere. I guess I can start flying first now.

Q. What about home life, are you a domesticated person? Do you do your own laundry and other household chores?

A. In Bermuda, I do, although it usually backs up for a day or two. But then there comes a time when we all spend a day getting everything cleaned up. I do sort of know how to cook. I'm very happy popping into a restaurant, but I am capable of looking after myself.


Q. What do you think winning the US Open has taught you about yourself and your game?

A. Well, I never realized I could play that well. That's what you train for, but you never think it's going to happen. There are 2 things I realized after winning. One is that dreams do come true. The second is that hard work always pays off. There's no substitute for it.


Q. Has life changed yet?

A. A little bit, but it's important for me to stay the same and just enjoy myself, enjoy life.


Q. What do you do to relax?

A. I like to hang out with friends. I love listening to music. Those are the sorts of things that I really enjoy and look to do when I get a chance.


Q. You said that tennis and soccer were your 2 biggest interests when you were growing up. What other sports do you like to follow? What are your other interests?

A. Rugby League, which I've always followed, and I've started to respect other games as I've travelled like basketball and ice hockey. I went to see a hockey game, which I thought was fantastic - an amazing spectacle. What else do I like? I enjoy my golf. I'm pretty well a typical bloke. Sport Sunday comes on, I'm around the TV.


Q. Do you get involved with the management of your money, or do you leave that to your brother?

A. Not really. I just sort of put up the money. I don't like to see my money get wasted. I don't know what my shares are really doing at the moment. I did keep an eye on them before, but I haven't checked on them in a couple of months. To me, I'm not really much of a businessman. But I'm pretty sensible with my money. I don't go spending it willy-nilly.


Q. What makes Patrick Rafter sad? What would make you cry?

A. Crying? I don't cry very much at all. The times that I have cried recently have just been with my family, if something sad has gone on with my family. If I was never to play tennis again, that would make me sad, I'm sure. That wouldn't be much fun at all.


Q. What makes you happy? What gives you the biggest thrill?

A. Seeing my dreams come true. Seeing the hard work pay off. Being with my friends. Being with my family. Just trying to make everything easy, make everything fun, relaxed. No real pressures. Playing tennis is a different pressure, but I enjoy the competition as well. I don't want too much sadness in my life. I guess no-one does.


Q. Was your mum really crying on the phone when you won the Open?

A. Yeah, she was. And my brother was crying in the stands as well after the match. Some of my friends were crying as well. They are the moments that I'm so glad I've been able to share what I've achieved with everyone else.