Pat Rafter To Play Doubles With Hewitt In 2014 Australian Open

Written by: Staff on 12th January 2014

Pat Rafter To Play Doubles With Hewitt In 2014 Australian Open

Melbourne, January 17, 2004. Pat Rafter in action during a doubles exhibition match at Kooyong today. Rafter and partner Josh Eagle were playing Nathan Healy and Ryan Henry. EPA/JULIAN SMITH AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT |

Editors note: Slams needs doubles. Every event needs doubles. Television needs more doubles! Does tennis need the Mc Enroes….

Australian Davis Cup captain Patrick Rafter will find himself back on court at the Australian Open when he teams in doubles with former protege Lleyton Hewitt.

Rafer 41, and a former US Open winner, is already rubbishing his skills level: “In Davis Cup we’ve played a few practise matches. I’ve kept playing a little bit, but under pressure I’ll probably choke – expect that to happen. 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.”

The pair will play it strictly for laughs and will staying the chase – if they keep winning- for only as long as it does not interfere with Hewitt’s singles as he plays in his 18th home grand slam.

“If he has a tough a tough first round singles match, and has to back up the singles by pulling out of doubles, I’m the guy,” said Rafter. “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.”

Hewitt was pleased to be involved in the experiment. “It’s good fun for both of us obviously. I looked up to Pat a hell of a lot growing up, he really helped me out. Most likely I’ll finish my career with him as Davis Cup captain, which is fantastic for me as well. While we’re still able to move around the court together, it’s nice we can go out there and play in a Grand Slam.”

Another Editors note: Maybe grumpy old Johnny Mac wishes someone would carry him to play dubs with today’s big boys? Wild cards are wonderful. Events should be given more flexibility to have fun making a pairing like Rafter and Hewitt. That’s promoting tennis. We are thrilled. Also great to see the Bryan Brothers on the ATP media guide cover. It’s the back cover. But it’s still great and much appreciated by all the “guardians of the Game “. And to Johnny Mac and John Newcombe for their dense concepts. Newks was another slam? In China? Try Mars? HARRY HOPMAN would make you both run the stairs. Hit the jump rope or the gym doing extra push ups till you saw that history and tradition shouldn’t be messed with. Today’s doubles players are fit and playing great tennis. Hey Newk you want to see an almost fifth slam. Go to Indian Wells and see what Larry Ellison built.

Topics: 10sballs, Australian Open, Bob Bryan, Doubles, Lleyton Hewitt, Mike Bryan, Pat Rafter, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News