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Associated Press 21y

Rafter says motivation wasn't there to play

SYDNEY, Australia -- Pat Rafter, formerly the world's
top-ranked player in men's tennis, announced his retirement Friday
at age 30, ending 12 months of indecision during an extended break
from the sport.

Rafter, a two-time U.S. Open champion and a two-time finalist at
Wimbledon, made his announcement in an open letter to the
Australian media. The release coincided with the draw for the
Australian Open.

"I know it's been a while coming, but I am announcing my
official retirement from professional tennis," Rafter wrote in the
letter.

"As you can probably understand, it has been a very difficult
decision for me to make, which is why it took me some time to be
sure I was making the right decision."

Rafter said he didn't have the motivation to compete on tour
after taking several months off in late 2001 to recover from arm
injuries.

"If I couldn't commit to giving 100 percent to the game, then
there would be no point in returning. By the end of 2002, the
motivation just wasn't there and my decision was made.

"I will have regrets that the Wimbledon and Davis Cup trophies
are not in my cupboard, but that's sport, you win some and you lose
some."

Rafter was sidelined with injury during Australia's Davis Cup
win over France in 1999 and then lost finals in 2000 in Barcelona
and 2001 in Melbourne.

"I will certainly miss some aspects of the game in my
retirement, but for now, I need to stay home and focus on the new
developments in my life," said Rafter, who had a son in August
with longtime partner Lara Feltham.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard led tributes to Rafter,
saying he was saddened by the retirement.

"I think it was pretty clear after the (2001) Davis Cup that he
may well have played his last tennis,'' Howard said. "I want to
say to you Pat, you've been a wonderful ornament of Australian
tennis, a great sportsman.''

Howard said Rafter had been a "role model in his demeanor'' to
other athletes around Australia and the world.

World No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt, a longtime friend and Davis Cup
teammate, said Rafter's retirement had shocked him. The pair had
played golf and tennis last week and Rafter didn't reveal his
decision.

"He's still hitting the ball well enough to chop up a lot of
guys on the tour,'' Hewitt told reporters in Melbourne. "I was
trying to convince him as much as anyone to come back and play
Davis Cup again. I thought this would be fantastic, even if he just
played doubles.''

Hewitt said Rafter's style on and off the court made him a
memorable champion.

"I think he was probably one of the nicest guys to ever pick up
a racket. I think a lot of people are going to remember him because
of that more than anything,'' he said. "Sure, they are going to no
doubt remember him getting to No. 1 and winning two U.S. Opens, but
I think everyone enjoyed him.''

Rafter's last official match was Australia's 3-2 loss to France
in the Davis Cup final in December 2001. Apart from spending more
time working with his charity organization, the Cherish the
Children Foundation, Rafter didn't give any further details on his
future plans.

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