Rafter hopes U.S. Open will be his last

Twice champion Pat Rafter heads into the U.S. Open next week knowing he could be playing the last Grand Slam of a glittering career.

But t1he Australian is not remotely nostalgic - in fact he hopes he will not lured back to the sport after a six month sabbatical.

"I don't think guys take their breaks enough," says Rafter, who won back-to-back U.S. Open titles in 1997 and '98.

"That's why I want to take six months off, see how much I really do miss the game.

"I think that's the question - will I miss the competition and will I miss that feeling of getting into tough situations and feeling the rush.

"But I really hope that I can find something else in my life that can give me a really good fulfillment and enjoyment.

"I'd really love to walk away... I really would. But if this is where I'm supposed to be, this is where I'm supposed to be."

The 28-year-old has had a stunning summer season, reaching his second consecutive Wimbledon final, and the finals at Montreal and Cincinnati.

Top Contenders
He captured a title last week with a win over Gustavo Kuerten at the Indianapolis Championships on Sunday.

Counting himself as "one of the Top 10 contenders" for this year's U.S. Open title, Rafter is currently managing to mix a desire to win and a penchant to be away from the sport to make the remainder of the year a worthwhile venture.

His plans include sticking with the Australian Davis Cup squad to, hopefully, win the coveted team competition and to play in the year-end Tennis Masters Cup in late November if he makes the eight-man cut.

While Rafter confirmed that he admires Pete Sampras for still wanting to travel the globe and be in the title hunt, the Australian makes it perfectly clear that "I'm sick of doing it" and is adamant that he hopes "I don't miss it."

"I guess it's all the constant playing, constant pressure, and all those sorts of things," Rafter said. "I just want to see if I can do without them.

"Sometimes you just don't want to show up on the court and some days you don't want to be there, and sometimes you don't want to perform."

Walk Away
Rafter's longtime coach, Tony Roche, believes that his charge is more than capable of staying at the top of the game, but totally supports his decision to walk away from tennis, at least temporarily.

"If he does quit, he'll be one of those rare players to leave still near the top of their game," he said.

Once on his sabbatical, Rafter plans on having no plans at all.

Part of the break will be spent back in Australia and the other portion will be in the Bermuda home he keeps in the northern hemisphere.

Among his favourite pastimes are a passion for golf and the beach, so it is likely he will be staying close to the sea and the greens.

"I really enjoy golf and going to the beach," Rafter said.

"I've tried surfing but I'm really bloody useless at it so I've given it up."

He's anything but useless at tennis, but may soon be giving that up for good too.