Aussie Patrick Rafter May Call it Quits

Pat Rafter, who recently sheared his long locks in favor of a close-cropped look that has exposed a small gray spot, is playing with gusto and is a favorite to win at any fast-surface tournament. Rafter, however, has announced that he will take a 6-month hiatus from the game after the 2001 tournament season and that the break may lead to permanent retirement.

When asked what it is that he loves about tennis of late, Rafter replied simply, "That it’s nearly finished." Not the expected response from one of the favorites to win the U.S. Open, a tournament that Pat won successively in 1997 and 1998. On Monday, the first day of 2001 U.S. Open action, Rafter defeated the young Bob Bryan 7-6 (3), 6-3, 7-5. Bryan, a rising star whose brother was defeated by Andre Agassi in the tournament’s first round, noted of Rafter, "He’s playing great. He can go for a good five more years."

That Rafter will continue for another 5 years is unlikely, given his recent desire to step away for a break. "I don’t want to be around tennis for a while and see how much I miss it, if I do or not," Rafter noted.