Rafter, Patrick (1972-…), was a leading Australian tennis player. Rafter won the United States Open Championship in 1997 and 1998. In 1999, he achieved the number-one world ranking, the first Australian to do so since John Newcombe in 1974. In 2000 and 2001, Rafter reached the final of the Wimbledon championship. He won the Australian Open doubles championship with Jonas Bjorkman of Sweden in 1999. Rafter has also been a member of the Australian Davis Cup team. In addition to being a gifted athlete, Rafter was a popular player known for his sportsmanship. In 2002, he was named Australian of the Year.
Rafter was born on Dec. 28, 1972, in the outback mining town of Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia. He and his brothers learned to play tennis from their father as young children. Rafter turned professional in 1991. He retired as an active player in 2003.
