Pat Rafter - In bloom 2: 6 and 2: 6 against Rafael Nadal
In the interview with Eurosport , Pat Rafter is happy not to have played with the current dominators of tennis at the same time and reveals who he believes in the future.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Apr 13, 2020, 10:06 am
There are hardly any players like Pat Rafter in 2020. The stubborn serve-and-volley game is almost extinct, even the top-serving players are forced to have some weapons from the baseline in their repertoire. According to Rafter, this is not due to the players themselves, rather the changed technology in tennis has brought about this turning point. "It's a lot harder to play. The extreme technology of the racket nowadays creates a lot of power and spin, especially when they're far out. In the past, you got a player out, you came in and the point was pretty much over," explained Rafter in an interview with Eurosport.
But it's not just technology that makes life difficult for serve-and-volley specialists. It is Messrs. Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal who consider the former number one to be rather uncomfortable for his style of play. "Someone like Djokovic would make my life a living hell. He returns too well. With someone like Rafa, I could achieve a 2: 6, 2: 6 in the heyday in the fastest place you have ever seen. That's two the best player I have ever seen, "enthused Rafter. The Australian is the only player ever to hold the number one position for just a week.
Flawless record against Federer
Roger Federer is mostly mentioned in the same breath with Nadal and Djokovic. Against him, however, Pat Rafter was still on the pitch before he ended his career in 2001. And it has an immaculate record - the 47-year-old was able to win all three encounters. In the interview, Rafter named Pete Sampras, the 14-times Grand Slam title holder, as the toughest opponent of his time. "He did everything I did, only better. His record was the best, so there is no doubt that Sampras is the outstanding player," said Rafter.
Rafter has already discussed the past and the present - and the Australian also has an outlook for the future. The two-time Grand Slam winner sees a future superstar especially in the Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime. "I like him and the way he plays - I keep an eye on him," said Rafter. He also has high hopes for a young compatriot - Alex de Minaur. At least with regard to the ineffectiveness of the serve-and-volley game, it does not need to worry too much.