1991: Turned Professional tennis
player
1992: Contested the Australian
Open for thefirst time,
Losing in the first round.
1993: Beats current world number 1
ranked player Pete Sampras,
Is named ATP'snewcomer of the
year.
1997: Becomes the first Australian
in 20 years to reach a
semi-final at the French Open,
Becomes the first Australian
in 24 years to win a US Open
title when he beats Brit
Greg Rusedski, The win takes
his ATP ranking to number 3,
Wins ATP's Most
Improved award along with the
Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship
award, By the end of the year
he took over the number 2
ranking.
1998: Wins second US Open title
beating fellow Australian Mark
Phillipoussis in four sets.
1999: Reaches world number 1 ranking
on july 26 overtaking Pete
Sampras, Has shoulder surgery
in October.
2000: Misses the Australian Open,
Reaches Wimbledon final
losing to Pete Sampras,
Gets severe cramps in an
unsuccessful Davis Cup final.
2001: Reaches Australian Open
semi-finals butagain suffers
cramps, Leads Australia to
victory in the World Team Cup,
Again reaches Wimbledon final
but went down to Goran
Ivanisevic in 5 sets,
Joins fellow Davis Cup team
mates in Melbourne Australia
For the final against france
having a win over Sebastian
Grosjean but losing the tie
to France at 3 rubbers - 2,
Takes semi-retirement
(unconfirmed
of a return) to spend time
with family and swimwear model
girlfriend Lara Feltham,
Wins Australian of The Year
award, Awaiting the
arrival of first baby.
2002: Girlfriend turned fiance
Lara Feltham gives birth
to the couples first child
(healthy baby
boy named Joshua
Patrick Rafter) on
August 1st at
approximately 7am
weighing 6lb 11oz.
Pat and Lara buy $5.5
million home in Sydney
suburb Mossman where
planning to raise new
baby.
Confirms retirement from
professional tennis
on Friday January 10th.
