Break Recharges Rafter's Batteries
Illawarra Mercury
Wednesday July 25, 2001
Pat's back and with the US Open not far away, the Rafter camp is confident his Bermuda layover will have recharged his batteries.
After his dramatic loss to Goran Ivanisevic in the Wimbledon final early this month, Rafter has spent a couple of weeks recuperating at his Bermuda home.
With the American hard-court season getting under way, Rafter is back on court on Monday at the Canadian Open in the lead-up to what may be his last grand slam.
Brother and manager Steve Rafter said while Pat had been relaxing and hitting only a few balls during the last few weeks, he should do well at the Montreal tournament.
``He's only been out of it for two-and-a-half weeks, so his form should still be pretty good," Steve said.
While Steve Rafter said they didn't place any more emphasis on winning the US Open then they did any of the other three grand slams, they were hopeful Rafter would add to his 1997 final victory over Greg Rusedski, and 1998 win over compatriot Mark Philippoussis.
``It's a major, so we are placing a lot of emphasis on it," Steve said.
Steve said his brother had shaken off any injury concerns, with his sometimes troublesome shoulder holding up fine.
Top players Gustavo Kuerten, Andre Agassi, Marat Safin, Pete Sampras, Lleyton Hewitt and Tim Henman are all expected to compete at the Canadian Open.
The US Open at Flushing Meadows, New York, begins on August 27.
© 2001 Illawarra Mercury