Rafter, Patrick Michael (1972- )

Australian tennis player who won the US Open men's singles title in 1997 and 1998. A right-hander from Queensland, he turned professional in 1991. He was voted the ATP Tour Newcomer of the Year in 1993, but until his triumph in the 1997 US Open he had achieved only one ATP Tour victory. However, in 1998 he won a further six titles and reached number two in the world rankings. Rafter won the 1999 Australian Open men's doubles title in partnership with Jonas Björkman of Sweden. He reached the final of the men's singles at Wimbledon in 2000 for the first time in his career, but lost to Pete Sampras in four sets. In 2001 he again reached the singles final at Wimbledon but lost to Goran Ivanisevic, and retired at the end of the year.

Career highlights

US Open singles: 1997, 1998

Australian Open doubles: 1999

Tournament wins 21

In 2002, Rafter was named Australian of the Year.