Rafter rumours just that
By LEO SCHLINK in PARIS
04jun02
PAT Rafter's management last night dismissed Australian radio reports he was
planning a comeback at the end of the year, again insisting the former world No.
1 had still made no decision on his future.
The ABC reported the dual US Open champion was intending to resume his career on
the European indoor circuit, quoting former Davis Cup captain John Newcombe who
has urged the Queenslander to end his seven-month sabbatical.
But Peter Rafter said his brother had not made a decision and had certainly not
made any plans.
It is understood Newcombe recently faxed Rafter a message of encouragement,
suggesting he should resume as soon as possible after his partner Lara Feltham
gives birth to the couple's first child next month.
"I said, mate, you've got unfinished business," Newcombe was quoted as
saying. "You've got the Davis Cup to get your name on and the honour board
at Wimbledon."
Rafter, 29, has hit only briefly since bowing out after the losing Davis Cup
final against France in Melbourne on December 2.
The Mercury
Newk: Rafter to return
By PAUL MALONE
04jun02
FORMER Australian Davis Cup captain John Newcombe has revealed Pat Rafter will
be back on the court next month, eyeing a comeback in time for the Australian
Open.
Rafter took an "extended break" from tennis after last year's Davis
Cup final loss to France in December.
France beat Australia 3-2, with Rafter unable to play in the fifth rubber
because of the right shoulder and arm injuries that led him to take an
indefinite break.
Rafter, 29, has spoken of how much he is enjoying his time away from the grind
of the tennis circuit.
However, Newcombe said Rafter could begin serious training as early as next
month.
"At the moment, Pat's thinking that he might start practising again with
Rochey (Tony Roche) down in Sydney, hard, probably at the end of July,"
Newcombe told ABC Radio. "Perhaps play some tournaments in November,
October in Europe and gear up and get ready for the Australian Open."
Rafter's coach Roche said last night: "I don't know anything about
it."
And Rafter's brother Steve, who is his business manager, said he knew of no
decision by Rafter to end his break.
"When he makes a decision on his playing future, he'll announce it,"
he said.
"You'd need to talk to Pat to find out what his intentions are and I don't
know when that would be."
Rafter lost the past two Wimbledon finals and Newcombe has described the
grasscourt tournament as "unfinished business" for the Queenslander.
He said Rafter planned to return to Davis Cup tennis and have another attempt at
Wimbledon.
"I said, 'Mate, you've got unfinished business. You've got Davis Cup to get
your name on and you've got the honour board at Wimbledon'," Newcombe said.
"Don't look back when you're 40 years of age and be sorry that you didn't
give it a shot when you were one of the favourites to be able to do that."
As the captain who gave Rafter his break in Davis Cup in 1994 at the start of a
close six-year association, it would be remarkable for Newcombe to have
foreshadowed Rafter's return so strongly without an intimate knowledge of his
plans.
Rafter has insisted in interviews in recent months that he would have to receive
a medical clearance before he played again.
He has been spotted hitting on courts in Noosa, where he is based. The former
world No. 1 is believed to be house-hunting in Sydney, ahead of the birth of his
first child, due at the end of July.
A successful return to tournament play would mean Rafter is asking himself to
achieve something no player in the modern era has.
Triple Wimbledon champion John McEnroe took a break at the age of 26 and was
unable to make another grand slam final on his return to the game, and Bjorn
Borg and Mats Wilander are among other champions who found it impossible to
rebuild careers.
Courier-Mail
Pat
and Chesty pool their talent
By Lisa Pryor
May 24 2002
His girlfriend might be a fashion model but don't expect Pat Rafter to swap a
tennis racquet for the catwalk.
In a skin-tight singlet and jeans, he seemed slightly bemused yesterday by the
attention that goes with being the new face of the Australian icon Chesty Bond.
"I've tried it before and I definitely know it's not me," he said.
It's probably just as well. The camera loves him but he seems too, well, natural
to be a model.
The Australian of the Year might not have played professional tennis since the
Davis Cup last December, but he still makes it onto the court for the occasional
hit with coach Tony Roche. "I had a little bit of a hit and a giggle today
with Rochey. It was fun," he said.
The two-time winner of the US Open says he is "not ready to come back"
but adds that "if the desire comes back I will listen to it and do what
feels right".
Those who watched his painful defeats in the Wimbledon and Davis Cup finals last
year might draw hope from his statement that "there are a few things
missing from my mantlepiece which I'd love".
There is one definite plan in Rafter's future, and that is the birth of his
first child, with girlfriend Lara Feltham, in early July. "Things will
change with the baby. Things will take care of themselves," he said.
He seems more excited talking about the baby than talking about tennis or
modelling. "It will be great. I'm sure it's going to be awesome."
24may02
YES, you will get to see Pat Rafter in his undies, but you'll have to wait a while.
Standing awkwardly under the glare of studio lights at a function in Sydney announcing his contract as the new Chesty Bond yesterday, Rafter looked every bit the Australian macho male, singlet and all.
But the tennis champion -- on an indefinite break from the game -- kept his jeans on, insisting: "I'm not walking down the aisle in my underwear.''
His fans will have to wait until the release of Bonds' summer catalogue in July to get an eyeful of Rafter as we've never seen him. The catalogue is likely to become a collector's item.
Rafter joins a long list of muscle-bound Australians who have bared almost all for the quintessentially Australian underwear manufacturer.
The tradition of using strongly builty Australian sporting heroes began in the 1950s with Max Whitehead, inaugural captain of the Manly Sea Eagles.
Tapping his fingers on Chesty's arm, Rafter looked amused yesterday at all the attention he was getting for whipping on a white singlet.
Asked if he had intended to design the perfect men's underwear, Rafter laughed. "I don't mind wearing make-up but the underwear is tough,'' he said. "The underwear fits well, feels good. If it's not comfortable I don't wear it.''
Bonds general manager Sue Morphet said getting one of the sexiest men alive was no mean feat.
"Pat Rafter is incredibly successful, popular, handsome, yet remains easy-going and natural -- exactly what Bonds are famous for, '' she said.
"He just fits the bill.''
The Australian
Rafter bonds with a new image
24may02
WOMEN swoon when Pat Rafter removes his shirt after a gruelling tennis match.
So they might see some irony in the tennis star's latest endorsement deal.
Rafter is the new face of underwear firm Bonds.
He will become an ambassador for the company's trademark singlets and undies
next summer, while international model Sarah O'Hare represents the women's
lingerie range.
Since the 29-year-old began an indefinite break from tennis at the end of last
year, Rafter's off-court activities have shown no sign of slowing down.
He is the current Australian of the Year, and is reported to command $20,000 for
public speaking engagements.
Marketing experts say Rafter's success and humility means he has a wide appeal
across all age groups.
His endorsements have included racquets, sportswear, milk, pay television,
sunglasses and reverse-charge phone services.
Rafter was coy yesterday as to whether he would return to competitive tennis
after a severe shoulder injury.
His priority is preparing for the birth of his first child with partner Lara
Feltham. Appropriately, the child is due during Wimbledon.
Rafter made a lightning-quick three-hour tour of the river system yesterday in his capacity as Australian of the Year which was organised by the Murray Darling Association.
He stopped at various points between Blanchetown and Cadell, listening intently to local experts as they described how the river system was being damaged and what was being done to improve the situation.
"I can see why people have shacks here, this is magnificent," he said.
"This is a good learning experience for me, to see first hand not only how beautiful the river is but also how important it is for the future of South Australia.
"We don't want to lose things as good as this and it is good to see people being proactive, working to keep the river clean and flowing."
Rafter took a lot of interest in developed and developing wetlands designed to purify water and refresh sections of the river damaged by salt and farmland run off over many years.
The tour took on a comical appearance as the Rafter cavalcade, initially with about 10 people in eight cars in tow, grew to around 20 vehicles and 40 people as local council officers and their families tagged along for a glimpse of the champ. They crowded around Rafter at each stop, hanging on every word he uttered.
At one stage it appeared some were even urging him to put his feet in the river, possibly with thoughts such an action might cure its ills. He didn't, limiting himself to eagerly listening about the woes of salinity and the ravages caused by greedy farmers here and further up the river system.