Rafter hints at early comeback

Patrick Rafter has hinted that he might make a comeback if Australia loses this week's Davis Cup final against France.

The 28-year-old Australian plans to take an extended break from tennis after the November 30-December 2 final at Melbourne Park but revealed on Tuesday that he might reconsider if Australia lost.

"There probably couldn't be a more fitting ending if I could win this one," Rafter said.

"If it wasn't meant to be then I would like to come back...because the Davis Cup is a great event, it's a lot of fun.

"I'm never going to officially retire in case I ever want to come back."

The two-time U.S. Open champion and former world number one said he wanted to stay involved in Davis Cup in the future, even if it wasn't as a player.

"Davis Cup has been a big part of my life," he said.

"I'm very, very passionate about it and it's very hard to foresee me not doing anything involved with tennis."

Rafter said he is confident of playing against France after his injured right arm showed signs of responding to treatment.

Australia's new world number one Lleyton Hewitt said his team is quietly confident of beating the French as long as they played their best.

"If I play the same tennis I've been playing over the last few months, if I play that same tennis I've played in big matches, I am pretty sure I'll be right," Hewitt said.

The Australians, who beat France in the 1999 Davis Cup final, are strong favourites again this time but doubles specialist Todd Woodbridge said his team is wary of the French despite having the home court advantage.

"They have got a good team...If we are not on our guard they could easily beat us," he said.