By Erik Gudris / Sunday, January 12, 2014
Two-time Grand Slam winner Pat Rafter will play in the men's doubles event with fellow Aussie Lleyton Hewitt at this year's Australian Open.
Photo Credit: Getty
If you can't coach them, might as well play with them.
That seems to be the message former two-time US Open champion Patrick Rafter will send as he partners up with fellow Australian Lleyton Hewitt in the men's doubles event at this year's Australian Open. The surprise announcement came out once the draw was released on Saturday.
When asked about his decision to play, Rafter stressed that it was all about giving Hewitt an extra match at the tournament.
"We're in the draw, but it will all depend on how he goes," Rafter said. "It's really important for him to play great singles. That's what it's all about. He still likes playing competitive matches. He gets through the first singles, he feels comfortable, feeling he might want to play, it's whatever Lleyton wants."
The current Australian Davis Cup captain joked he was already feeling pressure to do well should he and Hewitt step out on the court together. Rafter played his last professional match on the main tour in 2001. Hewitt and Rafter teamed up for the last time that same year when they played against France in the Davis Cup final.
"I haven't played with Lleyton here at the Open. Played with him Davis Cup. It was shocking, horrible. I was really bad. So my mates are sending me texts saying, Can you please work on your returns? I'll be definitely the worst player in the competition out there."
Hewitt, fresh off of winning the Brisbane International, himself hopes if nothing else that they have a bit of fun.
"I actually asked him a little while ago. Yeah, he still hits a lot at the Davis Cup ties, works us out a bit. Yeah, it's just a bit of fun," Hewitt said. "It will be nice on my off days, hopefully I'm still in the singles, on my off days to go out and play dubs with Pat. He's hitting the ball well enough. Beat (Goran) Ivanisevic and (Tim) Henman and those guys over in the seniors tour. Just going to be a bit of fun for both of us."
If the all-star Australian pair wins their opening round match against Eric Butorac and Ravin Klaasen, a tantalizing meeting could await them later in the third round. An encounter against top seeds and defending champions Bob and Mike Bryan.
But no matter what happens, don't expect a comeback from Rafter or to see him coach a current player on tour anytime soon.
"I'm still coaching. That's my warmup coaching. You mean on the tour? That's not going to happen. Davis Cup is enough for me."