Pat Rafter is an elite sportsman whose self-effacing grace and charm has captured millions of admirers in Australia and around the world. Along with realising his full potential on the tennis court, he has always acknowledged the prowess of his opponents, and has made significant contributions back to his nation.
Pat was born in 1972, the seventh of nine children, and his early years were spent living in the outback mining town of Mount Isa in Queensland. When he was eight their parents Jim and Jocelyn moved to Eumundi on the hinterland of the Sunshine Coast. He has stayed close to all his family and he sees them as an important part of his career success.
He started playing tennis on the hot bitumen courts of Mt Isa. When he first started playing full time in 1991 he wasn't able to afford to buy a new racquet. His attempt to get entrance into the Australian Institute of Sport was also unsuccessful. Undeterred, and starting with nothing except the loyal and loving assistance of his entire family, Pat started making his mark in 1993 and 1994. Since then he has won many career titles, including back to back US Opens in 1997-98. Written off by many as a "one slam wonder" after his first US Open, his response was to acknowledge the possibility, and then go on and win the following year.
Pat is admired not just for his ability to beat the best tennis players in the world. He has an unfailing commitment to fair play, and an ability to deal with setbacks with as much dignity as his wins. In 1997, he returned his appearance money when he lost a first-round match in France because, as he said, "I didn't do a good job, so why should I get paid for it?" In 2001, after coming runner up at Wimbledon for the second year in succession, his first thought was to warmly congratulate Goran Ivanisevic.
Although the glory in tennis is largely achieved as a singles player, Pat has placed the most importance on playing as part of a team representing Australia in the Davis Cup.
Pat firmly believes that he has a responsibility to, "put more back in than I take out." Over the years he has given his energies to many environmental causes. In 1999, after making several donations to causes for children, he set up his own Cherish the Children Foundation. This foundation is aimed at giving assistance to kids wherever they need it. Pat said at the launch, "...there are a lot of things that we can give back to make people happy."
Conquering the world with a self- deprecating sense of humour and giving as freely as we receive are qualities all Australians regard highly. Pat does it with ease. In all aspects of life, Pat is a good sport.
