Patrick Michael Rafter is an Australian former world No. 1 tennis player. He reached the top Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) singles ranking on 26 July 1999, holding it for one week.
His career highlights include consecutive US Open titles in 1997 and 1998, consecutive runner-up appearances at Wimbledon in 2000 and 2001, and winning the 1999 Australian Open men’s doubles tournament alongside Jonas Björkman.
You can follow Pat Rafter’s biography, personal details, wife, career overview, net worth, prize money, earnings, endorsements, stats, achievements, and more here.
Pat Rafter’s Biography
| Attribute | Information |
| Full Name | Patrick Michael Rafter |
| Nickname | Pat |
| Date of Birth | December 28, 1972 |
| Place of Birth | Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Height | 185 cm (6 ft 1 in) |
| Playing Style | Right-handed (one-handed backhand) |
| Turned Professional | 1991 |
| Retired | 2003 (last match November 2001) |
| Career-high Ranking | World No. 1 (July 26, 1999) |
| Career Prize Money | $11,133,128 |
| Grand Slam Singles Titles | 2 (US Open 1997, 1998) |
| Total Singles Titles | 11 |
| Total Doubles Titles | 10 |
| Notable Achievement | Australian of the Year (2002) |
| Hall of Fame Induction | 2006 (International Tennis Hall of Fame) |
| Spouse | Lara Feltham |
| Children | 2 |
| Current Residence | Lennox Head, New South Wales, Australia |
| Career Win-Loss Record | Singles: 358–191 (65.21%), Doubles: 214–111 (65.85%) |
Patrick Michael Rafter was born on December 28, 1972, in Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia. He grew up in a large family as the seventh of nine children born to Jocelyn and Jim Rafter.
His childhood was spent in the outback mining town of Mount Isa. Pat’s family moved to Brisbane to provide better training opportunities for him at the Queensland Tennis Centre.
Professional Career
Pat Rafter’s professional tennis career spanned from 1991 to 2002. His career reached its pinnacle in 1997 and 1998 when he won back-to-back US Open titles, becoming the first Australian to achieve this feat in the Open era.
Rafter’s aggressive serve-and-volley style made him particularly effective on faster surfaces, leading to two Wimbledon finals appearances in 2000 and 2001.
Throughout his career, he amassed 11 ATP singles titles and 10 doubles titles, including the 1999 Australian Open doubles championship with Jonas Björkman.
Rafter’s success extended beyond Grand Slams, as he achieved the world No. 1 ranking in 1999, albeit for only one week.
He was also a key player in Australia’s Davis Cup team from 1994 to 2001, finishing with an impressive 21-11 win-loss record.
His final professional match came during the 2001 Davis Cup final, after which he retired while still ranked world No. 7, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
Wife
Pat Rafter is married to Lara Feltham. The couple tied the knot in 2004 after dating for several years.
They have 2 children together: Joshua and India. The family currently resides in Sunshine Beach, Queensland, Australia.
Pat Rafter’s Net Worth Details
Pat Rafter’s net worth is estimated to be $35 million as of 2025. This wealth has been accumulated through his successful tennis career, endorsements, and post-retirement business ventures and investments.
Prize Money
| Year | Prize Money |
| 1991-1996 | $2,541,070 |
| 1997 | $2,454,163 |
| 1998 | $2,536,829 |
| 1999 | $1,763,000 |
| 2000 | $1,318,486 |
| 2001 | $786,019 |
| Total Career | $11,399,567 |
Career Earnings
Pat Rafter’s career earnings from prize money totaled $11,399,567. This figure represents his on-court earnings from tournament winnings throughout his professional career.
His most lucrative years were 1997 and 1998, coinciding with his US Open victories, where he earned over $2.4 million and $2.5 million respectively.
Endorsements
Rafter’s popularity and success on the court led to numerous endorsement deals, significantly boosting his overall earnings.
He had major sponsorship agreements with companies such as Nike for clothing and shoes, and Yonex for racquets.
Post-retirement, he has been associated with various Australian brands and has appeared in commercials for companies like Bonds underwear.
Career Stats
| Statistic | Value |
| Singles Titles | 11 |
| Doubles Titles | 10 |
| Highest Singles Ranking | 1 |
| Grand Slam Singles Titles | 2 |
| Grand Slam Doubles Titles | 1 |
| Career Win-Loss Record | 358-191 |
| Davis Cup Win-Loss Record | 21-11 |
Achievements
- US Open Singles Champion (1997, 1998)
- Australian Open Doubles Champion (1999)
- Wimbledon Singles Finalist (2000, 2001)
- World No. 1 Ranking (1999)
- ATP Tour World Championships Runner-up (1997)
- Davis Cup Runner-up (2000, 2001)
- ATP Sportsmanship Award (1997, 1999, 2000, 2001)
- Australian of the Year (2002)
- Inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame (2006)
- Inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame (2008)
FAQs
1. How many Grand Slam singles titles did Pat Rafter win?
Pat Rafter won two Grand Slam singles titles, securing back-to-back US Open victories in 1997 and 1998. He also reached two Wimbledon finals in 2000 and 2001 but did not win either.
2. Why did Pat Rafter retire from professional tennis?
He retired in 2003 at age 30 due to persistent shoulder injuries and a loss of motivation. His physically demanding serve-and-volley style contributed to recurring health issues, prompting his decision to prioritize family and personal well-being.
3. What is Pat Rafter doing after retirement?
Post-retirement, he became Australia’s Davis Cup captain (2010–2015), promotes padel tennis as a founding ambassador of Padel Australia, and engages in property development. He occasionally participates in exhibition matches and charity events.
4. When was Pat Rafter ranked world No. 1 in men’s tennis?
He reached the ATP world No. 1 ranking on July 26, 1999, becoming the first Australian to hold the top spot since John Newcombe in 1974. He held the position for one week.
5. What major awards has Pat Rafter received?
He was named Australian of the Year in 2002, inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame (2006), and received the Jean Borotra Sportsmanship Award (2005). He also won four ATP Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Awards during his career.
