Rafter camp considers a shave

Australia's long-haired tennis ace Patrick Rafter may consider shaving his head and wearing lighter clothing to alleviate cramping problems.

"Whether Pat has his hair cut shorter and shaves the beard is his decision," his brother and manager Steve Rafter was quoted as saying in the Herald Sun newspaper on Wednesday.

"There is the possibility that Pat already has the intention of having his hair cut. It's a sensible idea and I'm sure if that helps the situation, he will follow on medical advice."

Rafter, 28, winner of two U.S. Opens and a finalist at Wimbledon last year, was beaten by eventual champion Andre Agassi in an enthralling five-set Australian Open semifinal played in stifling humidity at Melbourne Park last Thursday.

The super-fit serve-volleyer led two sets to one when his legs began tightening up so badly that he could hardly run during the last two sets, allowing Agassi to easily win the match.

The same thing happened to Rafter during last month's Davis Cup final loss in Spain and he said he wanted medical help to stop him sweating so much.

Steve Rafter said he would talk to his brother's clothing sponsor about a change in fabric.

"I don't know what sort of material is in Pat's clothing but it certainly looked heavy and sweat-drenched," Steve Rafter said.

"The most important thing now is to get the result of the medical tests."

Australia, led by world top-10 players Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt, play Ecuador in a first-round tie in Perth, Western Australia, from February 9 to 11.