Rafter Reflects On Wimbledon Memories

Fifteen years after competing in one of the greatest finals in Wimbledon history, former World No. 1 Patrick Rafter said he still finds himself occasionally reliving the match.

In a battle of fan favourites, Rafter squared off against wild card Goran Ivanisevic in the rain-delayed 2001 final that was referred to as the ‘People’s Monday’. With an electric atmosphere that more closely resembled a football match, Rafter came within a few points of clinching the title, but fell 9-7 in the fifth set as Ivanisevic completed his improbable journey to win Wimbledon.

“I still think it was an ordinary match to watch, but what the crowd created in term of the atmosphere was unbelievable,” said Rafter. “It’s nothing like anything I’ve ever sat through, even in a Davis Cup match. It was pretty unique. I still replay certain situations from it in my head, but you do that less as you get older and you forget things exactly as they happened, so you make stuff up a little bit. I’ve sometimes relieved the moment in my head where I’ve won the match, but it doesn’t help!”

With his serve-and-volley game, Rafter’s style of play was tailor-made for grass. He also reached the Wimbledon final in 2000, only to lose to Pete Sampras in four sets. The win gave the American a then-record breaking 13^th Grand Slam title.

“I looked very tight and nervous. I knew he had a small injury and was a little bit suspect. I got myself in a winning situation and my heart rate got so high that I couldn’t control the way I played,” said Rafter. “That’s probably the hardest one. I relive that moment more than I relive the final against Goran.”

Since retiring from the ATP World Tour at the end of 2001, Rafter has made several trips back to Wimbledon. He’s also returned to London as a player on the ATP Champions Tour, competing several times at the season-ending Champions Tennis at Royal Albert Hall, where he won the event in 2013.”

“To me, the Royal Albert Hall isn’t just a great tournament. It’s a great event,” said Rafter. “It’s such a special place to play, like playing at the Sydney Opera House. You don’t want to miss that opportunity. They always put on an unbelievable event, so I’m looking forward to coming back.”

Rafter has even reprised his classic Wimbledon final with Ivanisevic on three different occasions at Royal Albert Hall. Rafter leads their head-to-head there 2-1, including a straight-sets victory in their most recent match in 2013.

“I kicked his ass. It was good,” cracked Rafter. “It doesn’t bring back Wimbledon, though. He always makes sure to let me know that!”

Rafter rose to No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings on 26 July 1999. In retirement, he was Australia’s Davis Cup captain from 2010 to 2015.