Patrick Rafter - 2006 International Tennis Hall of Fame Inductee
Patrick Rafter was introduced by his father who read the words of Aussie greats John Newcombe and Tony Roche. Family is very important to Rafter and he thanked his parents and many siblings for their support and sacrifices during his career. Although Pat Rafter’s first win on the ATP Tour took place on the grass courts of the Newport Casino, site of The International Tennis Hall of Fame, his greatest moments as a tennis player came in front of the big lights in the big city. Rafter won back-to-back U.S. Open titles in 1997 and 1998 and was ranked Number One in the World in 1999. Pat followed in the tradition of the many Aussie greats with his serve and volley style of tennis and how he conducted himself as a Champion. Rafter was the recipient of the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award in 1998 and when he won his first U.S. Open title, Pat immediately donated his winner’s check to the Australian Starlight Foundation which helps ill children. Now married and a father of two, Pat continues to support children on and off the court in Australia, while he surfs a few waves in his spare time along the Queensland coast!
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