Pat Rafter: Mr. Nice Guy

I don’t think it’s an exaggeration when I say Pat Rafter is quite possibly the nicest guy ever. A bold claim, I know, but the evidence is compelling.

His tennis career is filled with stories of generosity and sportsmanship, both on and off the court.

My favourite example comes from 1997 when, after winning the US Open for the first time, he donated half his winnings to the Starlight Children’s Foundation. Being the modest guy that he is, he attempted to make the donation anonymously but the story soon leaked to the media. He did the same thing after his 1998 win.

He was also pretty good at tennis. As a former world number one with two grand slams under his belt, he had an amazingly successful career.

Pat’s on the phone, promoting his upcoming London trip. And he’s just finished his match against Goran Ivanisevic – deja vu, anyone?

“Yeah mate, I lost,” he says, speaking from the Champions Downunder seniors tournament in Sydney.

Rafter famously lost the 2001 Wimbledon final to Ivanisevic in a thrilling five-set match. He later choked back tears in a post-match interview as he paid tribute to the winner. Hearts broke across Australia that night.

So did the rematch bring back bad memories?

“Nah, I’ve got no regrets. There are things you would have liked to have won but that’s just bad luck,” he says.

Rafter remains a regular on the seniors circuit, having played a handful of tournaments since his 2003 retirement from professional tennis. But sport is only a small part of Rafter’s life these days.

“I haven’t really applied myself to tennis for quite a while. I like to spend as much time as I can with my kids, go for a surf every now and then, and do a bit of travelling with the family.”

Then, of course, there’s the underwear modelling. He laughs as I bring it up.

“It’s a really good company and I get a lot of positive feedback from it but I hate doing the commercials and photo shoots in my undies. It’s just not me.”

His successful association with Bonds has proven to be a genius bit of marketing. He has built up such a rapport with the Australian public over the years that when he talks about “really comfy undies” Aussie men listen. But that’s little comfort to Rafter.

“When I play at matches people yell out: ‘have you got your undies on?’” he laughs.

“So I’m no longer known as the tennis player, I’m known as the Bonds guy – the undies guy.”

Rafter will soon be jumping right back into tennis, having been appointed Australia’s new Davis Cup captain.

“We’ve got a fair bit to learn so it’s exciting. I’m just going to go out there and do my best and see what we can produce with these kids,” he says.

But right now Rafter is focusing on next week’s trip to London for the Aegon Masters Tennis tournament, where he’ll face the likes of Tim Henman, Pat Cash, Goran Ivanisevic and Mark Philippoussis in a showcase of some of the game’s retired greats.

Rafter, who won the tournament last year, gave a typically modest assessment of his chances.

“50-50 mate,” he laughs, “there are better players joining all the time so it should be good.”

He will be in London from November 30, joined by his wife and kids. He’s hoping to take in a few of London’s attractions while he’s here.

“We’ll probably see a few shows, and the museums around there are fantastic.”

Visiting London will no doubt trigger some of Pat’s best tennis memories.

“Wimbledon has some great memories for me. Obviously it would have been better if I’d won. But I love going to London.”

But could he live here?

“Nup. No way. Australia has the sun, sand and surf. Why would I want live over there?”

I tell him that I live in London.

“Oh – it’s a great experience! I think it’s a terrific experience being in London. What a great opportunity to live the European dream.”

I know he’s lying, but what a nice guy.

Rafter will be joining a host of tennis legends at the AEGON Masters Tennis at the Royal Albert Hall from November 30th to December 5th. For tickets visit: www.aegonmasterstennis.com.