Pat Rafter making a doubles comeback at Aussie open. comments?

[Gut4Tennis]

Rafter returns to partner Hewitt in doubles

Melbourne – Former US Open champion Pat Rafter is coming out of a 13-year retirement to partner Lleyton Hewitt in the doubles at the Australian Open.

The 41-year-old, who is also Australia's non-playing Davis Cup captain, said Hewitt asked him to play doubles as he seeks extra matches depending on how he fares in the singles at the opening Grand Slam of the year.

Rafter hasn't played since Australia's Davis Cup final loss to France in Melbourne in 2001.

Rafter and Hewitt will face American Eric Butorac and South African Raven Klaasen in the doubles first round.

“I actually asked him a little while ago. He still hits a lot at the Davis Cup ties, works us out a bit,” Hewitt said on Sunday.

more at link
http://www.iol.co.za/sport/tennis/rafter-returns-to-partner-hewitt-in-doubles-1.1630652#.UtNmoNJDtIG

 

[Gut4Tennis]

Don't think it's a comeback. Just one and done??

 

[Gut4Tennis]

Rafter is playing humble because he is a very dangerous doubles player whether he is 40 or not. They could easily win many matches in Australia.

 

[tennis_pro]

A first round loss, cool.

 

[cork_screw]

its doubles, who cares.

 

[Gut4Tennis]

its doubles, who cares.

Lots of people. More people play doubles then singles on earth

 

[Overdrive]

Wow, really? First round loss? What a shame...

 

[Gut4Tennis]

Wow, really? First round loss? What a shame...

line #5
http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/scores/draws/md/mddraw.pdf

no they never played yet...dont listen to the trolls

the doubles should start wed I think

 

[Overdrive]

Oh, okay. Thanks

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Great to see him back in the game. Last of the great S&V players. Hope he keeps it up for a while.

its doubles, who cares.

It's your opinion. Who cares?

 

[Gut4Tennis]

Great to see him back in the game. Last of the great S&V players. Hope he keeps it up for a while.



It's your opinion. Who cares?

X100000000000000000000000 SPOT ON MATE

 

[Roddick85]

Lots of people. More people play doubles then singles on earth

Really? Perhaps the older crowd. At the club level, people who have a bit of game would much rather play singles I believe.

 

[Gut4Tennis]

Really? Perhaps the older crowd. At the club level, people who have a bit of game would much rather play singles I believe.

no actually most all of usta league is doubles

25yr old-60 with the bulk of players at 30-45yrs old

3.0-5.0 which is 95% of all players on earth

 

[m2nk2]

Jonas Bjorkman made a comeback at Stockholm Open few months ago. He made it to the final so why not?

He's 40 something too!

 

[newpball]

Pat Rafter making a doubles comeback at Aussie open. comments?

ZZzzzzzzz....

 

[Dedans Penthouse]

Ah, now I figured out why the Rafter mocking: Rafter whupped Federer in the 1999 French Open (including a bagel in the process). That was about fanboy trolling....got it!

 

[Rafter4ever]

Don't think it's a comeback. Just one and done??

Hard to see any other major giving them another spot on the main draw.

i can see them playing in the 500's or 250's, guess it depends on Rafter's Davis cup schedule?

 

[jrs]

How good a double player is Hewitt?

Rafter is playing humble because he is a very dangerous doubles player whether he is 40 or not. They could easily win many matches in Australia.

I think it's a great idea - but I am not sure if Hewitt's a good doubles player. Maybe a lefty - like Daniel Nestor!

 

[rufus_smith]

Rafter will dazzle since only he hits his kicker serve 11 to 5 on the clock.

 

[TennisandMusic]

Lots of people. More people play doubles then singles on earth

That's probably because, on Earth, there are more bad tennis players than good tennis players.

 

[slice bh compliment]

A kick from 11 to 5, is that in the time zone in Melbourne?

 

[Rafter4ever]

I think it's a great idea - but I am not sure if Hewitt's a good doubles player. Maybe a lefty - like Daniel Nestor!

It definitely will be interesting, Hewitt likes to stay back when he is serving in doubles (occasionally S&V), therefore probably would test Rafter's patience a bit as the net guy. Lets see if Rafter ask Hewitt to S&V more and not play baseline doubles, like a p*ssy

 

[AtomicForehand]

Really? Perhaps the older crowd. At the club level, people who have a bit of game would much rather play singles I believe.

You make the mistake of assuming your own preferences are universal.

 

[rufus_smith]

A kick from 11 to 5, is that in the time zone in Melbourne?

It is TT humor, sort of. For info check out this thread on the fabulous 11 to 5 serve:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=461208

 

[Gut4Tennis]

ahhh the good old famous 11 - 5 kicker

 

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

I think it's a great idea - but I am not sure if Hewitt's a good doubles player. Maybe a lefty - like Daniel Nestor!

ye, I think hewiit has only won the one major, the USO, in doubles, so noo, probs not much of a dubs man..

idiot

but since Rafter has a 3 - 0 career record on the Fed, haters gonna hate I guess.. lol, what a place

 

[Fedinkum]

Rafter was such a nice bloke. Saw him at Brisbane two weeks ago. After his practice with the Oz boys, a lot of kids were chasing his signature. Pat made sure each pen was return to its owner. One kid dashed off happily and forgot his pen, and Pat made the effort to chase after that kid and returned it to the kid. Awesome fellow, and in great shape!

 

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

ye, he's a lovely bloke, isn't he?

will be at the AO from Wed thru to Saturday, going to try so hard to catch this match!!!!

 

[McLovin]

ye, I think hewiit has only won the one major, the USO, in doubles, so noo, probs not much of a dubs man..

idiot

but since Rafter has a 3 - 0 career record on the Fed, haters gonna hate I guess.. lol, what a place

Not to mention that Hewitt is the last major singles winner to also have won a major in doubles. The player he supplanted for that distinction?

Rafter.

 

[slice bh compliment]

It is TT humor, sort of. For info check out this thread on the fabulous 11 to 5 serve:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=461208

Cool.
I saw some of the rafter/hamilton material but i did not catch that thread. Thanks.
My favorite part was that meme pic of coaching and tt posters late at night.

 

[iceman_dl6]

It's fun to have him back in the game. Doubles will suit him very well since he is one of the best volleyers of all time.

 

[Deleted member 21996]

Pat returning is a sign of hope that Tennis can be saved from the claws of showersac tennis as performed by Gonads and Bag lady...