A Tennis Icon’s Evolution

Patrick Michael Rafter, the Australian former professional tennis player who reached World No. 1 in men’s singles, built an impressive career with eleven ATP Tour-level singles titles, including two majors at the 1997 and 1998 US Opens.

New Ventures in 2025

The legendary Australian tennis star has recently taken up padel and is preparing to represent Australia in international competition. He will headline the 2025 Australian Padel Tour (APT) National Series at Tribe Padel Sydney, marking a milestone for the sport as it welcomes some of Australia’s best players. As Padel Australia Founding Ambassador, Rafter has swapped his Grand Slam-winning serve for an underhand start in one of the world’s fastest-growing sports.

In another significant development, Rafter has been selected as Team World Vice Captain for the Laver Cup, joining forces with Captain Andre Agassi. He takes over from American Patrick McEnroe, who has held the position since 2017. Rafter expressed his honor at joining Team World, noting that the Laver Cup is one of the most exciting events in tennis.

Legacy and Current Impact

Rather than treating his transition to padel as merely recreational, Rafter has fully committed to a sport that combines agility, strategy, and social energy. He has emerged as a key player in Australia’s padel movement, drawing attention to its rapid growth and energetic flair. As the Founding Ambassador of Padel Australia, he is both participating in and promoting the sport nationally.

Looking ahead, Rafter remains optimistic about the future of tennis, noting that the sport is in good shape, as evidenced by record crowds at the Australian Open and the emergence of exciting new talents like Sinner and Alcaraz. As he observes, ‘The Aussie Open is bigger than any player right now. Top players will always come along. And you see, again, strength in Sinner and Alcaraz, my god. And you look at them playing and say, ‘wow, they’re awesome’.