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Time to reflect Rafter isn't sure whether he's played his last Grand Slam
NEW YORK (Reuters) -- Now that Patrick Rafter's U.S. Open campaign has come to an end, the popular Australian found himself contemplating life on the outside. "I've been thinking about it for a little while," said the 28-year-old Rafter after a 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-4 fourth-round loss to longtime rival Pete Sampras on Monday at the U.S. Open. "There's new things I want to do. Just sort of live a life," said Rafter, who plans a lengthy break from the globetrotting ATP Tour after this year -- one from which he says he may not return. "We live in an unreal world here. I just want to touch down a little bit. Maybe I might not like it. [I'll] wait and see." Since Rafter sent word to Australian fans last January that the upcoming Australian Open could be his last appearance at that Grand Slam, his future plans have been somewhat up in the air. All that Rafter is sure about is he will take six months off at the beginning of 2002 to see if he enjoys retirement. Indeed, when Rafter was asked whether his loss to Sampras was his last match at a Grand Slam, the Australian replied with an inconclusive "I don't know." Yet there is still a nagging feeling that there is a troubling gap on his Grand Slam resume. "The unfinished business for me is Wimbledon for sure," said Rafter, still smarting from failing to win either of the Wimbledon finals he competed in, losing to Sampras in 2000 and to Goran Ivanisevic in a five-set thriller earlier this summer. "But there's no guarantee I'll ever be there again," he said. Always a humble individual, Rafter, who hails from the country town of Mount Isa in Queensland, is the first to sound amazed about what he has accomplished during his tennis career. "You know tennis has been extraordinary for me," Rafter said. "I've really enjoyed it. I never expected to do what I've done. "I feel like I've come away from this game -- if I do happen to leave and not come back -- and I've been really, really blessed to have a career that I've had." After sending Rafter packing from what could turn out to be his last Grand Slam tournament, Sampras praised the brilliant career of the Australian. "He's had a phenomenal career," Sampras said. "He's reached No. 1. He's won a couple majors. Certainly our matches have produced some very good tennis over the years. "He'll be missed. He's one of the nicest guys we have on tour, a great player. I've got a lot of respect for his game, as a competitor. He's definitely one of the best players I've ever played over the years." At the moment, Rafter looks towards winding down the year which he hopes will culminate in playing the Davis Cup final and the season-ending Tennis Masters Cup.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. |
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