Pat Rafter as the equal of Guillermo Vilas? What's up with that, bro?
--Lionel Wilson, Atlanta

A few of you questioned that one, including my menacing cousin. I realize Vilas won twice as many Slams, a ton more titles, and had a lengthier career. But I say history remembers the two as rough equals. Rafter has reached the semis of each of the four Slams, won the U.S. Open twice, and achieved the top ranking-feats Vilas never accomplished. More important, as perhaps the best pure athlete ever to play the game and an aesthetically-pleasing serve-and-volleyer, it's hard to leave Rafter off a list of the best players of this era.

I choked last time, says Rafter
By LEO SCHLINK in London
14jun01

PAT Rafter yesterday admitted to choking in last year's Wimbledon final against Pete Sampras.
The dual US Open champ and former world No. 1 said he was still rueful over letting slip a 4-1 lead in the second set tiebreak with two missed volleys after winning the first set.
"I would love to go one better at Wimbledon," Rafter, 28, said after winning his first-round match at the Gerry Weber Open in Halle, Germany.
"I choked last time and I am not ashamed to admit it. Nerves took over.
"I can't say it won't happen to me again . . . let's just say that if I do get myself into that position again, I will take advantage of it.
"But it is a tournament that I want to win so badly. When you are that hungry for something you are bound to feel the tension and tighten up."
Rafter had Sampras on the ropes after a brilliant opening to the Wimbledon final and, as seven-time champion Sampras conceded later, the Australian would have almost certainly landed his third major if not for the uncustomary lapse.
Rafter is now amassing his resources for what is likely to be a farewell tilt at the All-England Club from Monday week. Rafter has been edgy since losing in the first round at the French Open to Wayne Arthurs and has been in the hamlet of Halle for eight days practising.
His 6-3 6-4 win yesterday over touch Czech Daniel Vacek paved the way for a second-round encounter with Romanian net-rusher Andrei Pavel.
Rafter's Wimbledon revelation stemmed from allowing Vacek a late service break.
"You can lose matches from that kind of situation through relaxing too much," Rafter said. "I'm reasonably happy with the way I played, though.
"I've got to sharpen up my serve a bit and hope everything falls into place when it matters."
Rafter will next week make the short journey across the Dutch border to Rosmalen, where he will bid for a fourth successive Heineken Trophy.

Rafter wants revenge

THURSDAY 14 JUNE 2001, WWW.SPORTAL.CO.UK

Australian tennis hero Pat Rafter claims that the Wimbledon crown is the title he covets above all else and hopes to go one better this year after admitting he "choked" in last year's final which he lost to Pete Sampras.
The dual US Open champion reached the final of the 2000 tournament by beating Andre Agassi in an epic semi-final, but was ultimately overwhelmed by Sampras in the final, 6-7 7-6 6-4 6-2.
"I choked last time and I am not ashamed to admit it," he said. "Nerves simply took over. I can't say it won't happen to me again ... let's just say that if I do get myself into that position again I will take advantage of it.
"But it is a tournament that I want to win so badly. When you are that hungry for something you are bound to feel the tension and tighten up."
Rafter, who was speaking after beating Czech Daniel Vacek 6-3 6-4 in the first round of the grasscourt tournament in Halle, Germany, said he was in good condition to make a serious tilt at Wimbledon after a troublesome year with wrist and shoulder injuries.
Rafter was a first round casualty at the French Open two weeks ago, losing to compatriot Wayne Arthurs, but the early exit at least enabled him to get in some valuable practice on grass.
"I'm in good shape at the moment but I have to keep in mind the problems I've had with my shoulder and wrist and take care of my body," he said.
After the Halle tournament, he will continue his Wimbledon preparation at Rosmalen in the Netherlands, a tournament he has won for the past three years.

- - -