Irritated Rafter Cruises Through 1 July 2000 by Pritha Sarkar, Wimbledon
LONDON, (Reuters) - An irritated Patrick Rafter booked his place in
the fourth round of Wimbledon by dispatching Germany's Rainer Schuttler 6-2
7-6 (7-2) 6-3 on Saturday.
The twelfth seed was unhappy with the ``let'' machine on Court One and
complained to the umpire about the accuracy of the device when he was serving
at 4-3 15-0 in the final set.
Thinking the serve was incorrectly called ``let'' by the service-reading
machine, Rafter shouted: ``This is a kick serve for God's sake. Turn the
bloody machine off.''
After the match Rafter said: ``I'm deaf in one ear so I find it hard to hear
the lets anyway but that serve was a big kicking serve and cleared the net by
at least a metre.''
``Maybe I'm missing something but the machine kept on bleeping throughout for
no reason at all.''
Distractions aside, the dual U.S. Open champion was in commanding form during
the match and claimed the opening set in just 22 minutes after breaking
Schuettler twice and dropping only six points on his own serve.
The 24-year-old German fought bravely in the second set, often outclassing
Rafter in the rallies, but was unable to stop Rafter from racing away with
the tiebreak.
``I served and volleyed well, especially on the big points and took most of
the chances that came my way,'' said Rafter.
``I feel I have a good chance to win here. Now that I'm playing good tennis
my chances are going up everyday.''
The Australian -- a semifinalist here last year -- broke Schuttler's serve
to win the match on his third matchpoint.
His next opponent will be either Thomas Johansson or Magnus Gustafsson, both
unseeded and both Swedes.
END
Rafter Too Good For
Woodbridge 29 June 2000 by Trevor Marshallsea SportCentral
LONDON, June 29 AAP - Pat Rafter breezed into the third round at the
Wimbledon tennis championships today, crushing fellow Australian Todd
Woodbridge 6-3 6-3 6-4.
Rafter was in command throughout, showing he was back near his best form
since his comeback from a shoulder injury in February.
The Queenslander, seeded 12th, will face the winner of the match later today
between German Rainer Schuttler and Frenchman Nicolas Escude, whom he beat in
the final in winning his first post-injury title at Den Bosch last weekend.
Beyond that, Rafter's first serious test of the tournament -- where he made a
career-best semi-final appearance last year -- is likely to come against
fifth-seed Yevgeney Kafelnikov in the fourth round.
Woodbridge, who entered this tournament as a wildcard after scant singles
experience this year, had recorded only one win in five previous attempts
against Rafter, at Wimbledon in 1997.
But any hopes the Sydneysider had of a grasscourt edge over the dual US Open
champion were quickly laid to rest.
Rafter was quickly into sparkling form on court two, serving with precision
when it was needed most, showing tremendous court coverage and touch at the
net, along with some admirable passes from the baseline.
He broke Woodbridge in the first and third games, and while he dropped his
own serve in the next, he broke Woodbridge again in the ninth game with a
variety of winners to take the set in 44 minutes.
Rafter showed some superb touch to seal the only break of the next set,
hitting a lobbed half-volley from the baseline to set up break point, and
converting it to a 4-2 lead.
He quickly put the issue beyond doubt by breaking Woodbridge in the first and
third games of the third set.
Rafter's Big
Serve Back In Business 29 June 2000 by Paul Majendie
LONDON (Reuters) - Dual U.S. Open champion Pat Rafter checks into
hotels under the name Mr Ace. At Wimbledon on Thursday you could see why.
Rafter's booming serve was back in business after a shoulder injury as he
swept aside fellow Australian Todd Woodbridge 6-3 6-3 6-4 and sailed into the
third round.
Nationality and friendship meant nothing to Rafter who vividly remembers as a
little boy in Australia getting up at two o'clock in the morning to watch
Wimbledon on television.
``Dad would let us. We'd get a rug out,'' said Rafter, one of nine children.
``The old Aussie guys told us this was the one.''
``Today was a day I made my mind up I was going to knuckle down and play a
good aggressive game and not show too much friendship. Out there I was pretty
hungry and very determined,'' he said after his one-sided triumph.
The tour's number one male sex symbol treated screaming fans to a shirt
change. They whooped with delight.
Rafter had to take five months off over the New Year to have an operation on
his shoulder but his game is back to its best, especially his serve.
``I did play very well. Today I felt a lot better with my serve,'' he said.
He admitted that it was only on the hard courts of New York that he could
beat anyone in the world.
Wimbledon was always a much tougher task. ``I probably need to flatten out my
serve and hope for a miracle I guess.''
The injury-imposed rest has done Rafter good. The 12th seed, beaten by
Woodbridge the last time they met at Wimbledon, was in superlative form.
The first set was a see-saw affair as Rafter raced to a 3-0 lead before
Woodbridge steadied himself. Rafter, moving fluently across court, was
terrier-like in his determination.
In the second set Rafter was rampant, losing just three points on his serve.
Woodbridge, one of the world's great doubles players, was superb at the net
but his serve was woeful.
Rafter never let his concentration waver in the last set. He is now looking
forward to representing his country back home at the Sydney Olympics.
Asked what made a Australian sports star, he said: ``I like to think the
Aussies are very laid back and approachable people. If any of the athletes
aren't, they are generally regarded as dickheads.''
END
Painful Truth 29 June 2000 by Leo Schlink The Daily Telegraph
"My career could be over at anytime"
THE prospect of premature retirement because of shoulder problems is haunting Pat Rafter
in his current Wimbledon campaign. Rather than concentrating on the prospect of a third
major tennis title, the 27-year-old is being burdened by the worry his next game could be his
last. Despite a straight-sets win over English wild card Jamie Delgado in his first round match
yesterday, Rafter's spirits appeared deflated and he expressed concern about the future
of his career. "I realise that it can be over at any time," Rafter said. The dual US Open winner
and former world No 1 will meet Sydney's Todd Woodbridge in the second round.
Those close to Rafter fear that a loss to the doubles specialist might push the Queenslander
perilously close to pulling the pin on tennis. Rafter admitted yesterday there were no guarantee
with his right shoulder which was operated on in October to repair a torn rotator cuff. "I'm
just pretty happy out here doing what I'm doing and trying to enjoy the most of it," he said.
"There's no guarantee the shoulder will be ready or fit in three years, so I'm doing everything
I can, all the strength work, I'm at the gym all the time. "If I can continue that, then
hopefully I can get through another couple of years." Since undergoing arthroscopic surgery,
Rafter's progress has been a worrisome blend of occasional highs, physical setbacks and
uncertainty. But in posting his sixth consecutive win, a figure bolstered by tournament victory
in Rosmalen last week, Rafter cautiously wondered whether Wimbledon was within his athletic grasp.
"I don't know," he said when asked of his All-England Club prospects. "Am I ready? I don't know.
I'm just happy to be out there play- ing each match."
Woodbridge, the forgotten man of international singles competition, intends to derail Rafter's
plans by ambushing the Queenslander for the second time in four years at Wimbledon. A wild
card entrant, Woodbridge overcame Dutchman Jan Siemerink in four sets, to earn another tilt at
Rafter, whom he downed in 1997 in the fourth round before storming into the semi-finals, losing
to eventual winner Pete Sampras.
"I've taken my confidence from the doubles court and taken it out onto the singles court,"
Woodbridge said. "I'm just happy to be out there again on the good courts against the good players.
"I'm looking forward to playing Pat again."
Perfection-seeking Rafter demanded more of himself after accounting for overwhelmed Delgado with
16 aces and a string of volley winners. "It's got to be better than that If I want to progress a
bit further on," Rafter said. "The serve started off a little rusty again. It's a part of my game
over the last couple of weeks that hasn't been great. It picked up in the third set and the end
of the second. But the rest of the game is pretty good, so I was happy with that."
Rafter shines against Delgado in Wimbledon opener
By Kim Trengove 06-27-00
It's Australia Day at Wimbledon with Patrick Rafter taking the first honors on Court three.
Rafter, fresh from winning his third Heineken Trophy in the Netherlands, today defeated Britain's
Jamie Delgado 6-3, 7-6 (7), 6-1.
The popular Australian was in control for most of the match, however he appeared to lose
concentration in the second set when Delgado broke for a 3-1 lead. Rafter broke back and the set
went to serve into a nail-biting tiebreak. Delgado saved the first set point with a passing
forehand, then Rafter quashed Delgado's set point with ace No.12. He moved into the lead with a
stunning backhand volley and won the set on Delgado's double-fault. From then on, any first round
jitters disappeared for the No.12 seeded Australian and he stormed to a victory looking as fit
and sharp as ever.
Observed Australian Davis Cup coach John Newcombe, "He's feeling good about himself mentally and
physically. I wouldn't be surprised to see him go a long way in this tournament."
Rafter's next opponent is either Todd Woodbridge or Jan Siemerink, who were 2 sets to one in
favor of Woodbridge when Rafter completed his match.
Pat Cruises To Victory 27 June 2000 Leo Schlink Daily Telegraph
REJUVENATED Australian Pat Rafter last night powered to a solid first round win at Wimbledon to
extend his outstanding grasscourt form and maintain hopes of a third major.
Methodical rather than spectacular, Rafter chiselled out a 6-3 7-6 (9-7) 6-1 success over
English wild card Jamie Delgado, who had no answer to the Australian's relentless net-charging.
Boosting his unbeaten run to six matches following victory in the Heineken Trophy in Rosmalen
on Sunday, Rafter weathered a mid-match lapse in concentration to safely
negotiate his first
Wimbledon hurdle with 16 aces. The Brisbane right-hander revelled on sun-baked court three,
where spectators had packed into the grandstands long before Rafter emerged to dominate 144th-
ranked Delgado. Rafter stormed to a 3-0 before Delgado resisted to delay the Australian's charge.
Serve-volleying with authority, Rafter threatened to destroy the jockey sized Englishman but
appeared to lose momentum and concentration in humid, warm conditions. Delgado preyed on Rafter's
lapse with a searing backhand drive to lead 3-1 in the second set. Rafter immediately regrouped
to level at 3-all and eventually forced a tiebreak. Once there, the Queenslander gambled on his
kick serve and supporting volleys to wriggle out of dangerous situations.
Rafter speared an ace down the middle when Delgado held a set point at 6-7 against the Australian
who then upped the ante and pressured his opponent into double faulting to lose the set.
Demoralised at having pushed the dual US Open champion so fiercely, yet not having been able
make inroads into the Australian's confidence, Delgado predictably dropped serve in the
second game of the third set. Returning serve with increasing confidence, Rafter ripped a forehand
at Delgado's ankles in the fifth game to forge another break to have the match within his keeping.
More than anything else, this was Rafter's most confident Grand Slam showing since an operation
in October to repair a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder. Rafter missed the Australian
Open because of recurring soreness in the joint and, after dismissing Italian veteran Gianluca
Pozzi in the first round of the French Open, lost to Cedric Pioline at Roland Garros.
Happiest on grass, last year's Wimbledon semi-finalist has collected eight wins from his past
eight matches to overturn an uncertain start to the season. .Rafter credits much of his revival
to 10 days of practice court slog after bowing out of the French Open. Rafter next faces
countryman Todd Woodbridge.
END
CONFIDENT RAFTER CAN SLAM AGAIN 27 June 2000 Leo Schlink Daily
Telegraph
REJUVENATED Pat Rafter returns to Wimbledon today a legitimate grand slam contender after
surviving a troubled nine-month search for confidence and form following a career-threatening
shoulder injury and operation. The former world No 1 cut a buoyant figure after catching a
helicopter from Rotterdam after winning his third consecutive Heineken Trophy and breaking a
year-long drought to become the second-most effective grasscourt player in the world behind Pete
Sampras. "It's very exciting," Rafter said on his tremendous 6-1 6-3 triumph in a rain delayed
final in Rosmalen over French- man Nicolas Escude. "It's been a long road coming back from the
shoulder operation. I'm feeling good going back to Wimbledon and to win this tournament again
is fantastic. "Every time 1 step on this court, 1 feel like I'm at home. Hopefully 1 can continue
the form at Wimbledon." Hailing Davis Cup coach Tony Roche as the "best coach in the world", dual
US open champion Rafter rose from an unfamiliar 73rd in the ATP Tour's Champions race 2000 to
about 50th. The new figures will be released today. Crucially, Rafter's confidence has been
restored, completing an inspiring recovery from the uncertainty of arthroscopic surgery to
repair the rotator cuff in his right shoulder last October. The injury has, at various times,
caused the Brisbane serve-volleyer hellish pain and enormous doubts, prompting Rafter to question
the worth of continuing at the highest level. Encouragingly, Rafter was able to dominate two
matches Sunday when, resuming with a 5-2 semi-final lead after rain washed out play on Saturday,
he obliterated talented Damm 6-2 6-1 before caning Australian Open semi-finalist Escude.
Rafter Finds His Dutch Courage 26 June 2000 by Leo Schlink The Daily Telegraph
PAT Rafter yesterday emerged from the nightmare of a career threatening injury to claim his
third straight Heineken Trophy men's grass court tennis title In Den Bosch, Netherlands. Rafter
completed a busy schedule by downing Frenchman Nicolas Escude 6-1 6-3 in the final. It was his
second match of the day after the Australian's semi-final clash with Czech Martin Damm was
interrupted by rain on Saturday. Rafter began the day resuming his semi-final up 5-2 in the first
set and didn't waste time closing out the match. He cruised Into the final by brushing aside
Damm 6-2 6-1. Escude was expected to put up more of a fight after the Frenchman knocked out fifth
seeded American Michael Chang 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 in their semi-final earlier in the day.
But Rafter had other ideas, downing the second seed in straight sets.
The Australian third seed took the first set in 23 minutes, breaking Escude, a thoroughbred clay
court player, three times and dropping only one point on his own service.
Escude, who had not dropped a set before the final, found a little more rhythm on his service
in the second set but was let down by poor volleying. Rafter, who will play Briton Jamie
Delgado in his opening Wimbledon match on Tuesday, broke Escude again in the sixth game and
coasted to victory. Rafter has now won 15 matches without defeat on the Dutch grass and will
carry plenty of confidence into Wimbledon.
The victory, the eleventh of Rafter's career, also justifies his promotion into the seedings at
Wimbledon, which have been rocked by this of a boycott by Spanish players. The success was
Rafter's first since the same tournament last year. The former world NO 1 underwent
arthro-
scopic surgery on his right shoulder in October, prompting fears he would be forced into
premature retirement.
Rafter was elated in winning so conclusively yesterday. "This is great going Into Wimbledon
and I give myself a chance there." Rafter has been working with Davis Cup coach Tony Roche
since losing in the second round of the French open and has been talking on a regular basis with
Australian captain John Newcombe. It appears Newcombe and Roche have finally convinced Rafter
to go flat out on his renowned kick serve or run the risk of losing to players of inferior
quality. Rafter last year reached the Wimbledon semifinals after winning the Heineken Trophy
and with an Olympic Games berth at stake the Queenslander will have been well aware of the import-
ance of performing well during the grass court season. Rafter becomes the fourth Australian to
win a singles event this year following the successes of Lleyton Hewitt, Mark Philippoussis and
Andrew llie. Rafter, who was listed at 20-1 for Wimbledon, has firmed to 16-1 in his bid for
a third grand slam title.
END