Rafter to return against Wilander
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Rafter quit tennis because of a shoulder problem
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TOWNSVILLE, Australia -- Two years after retiring from competitive tennis, Australian Patrick Rafter is planning a low-key return in an exhibition match against Swede Mats Wilander in February.
Australian media reported that the 30-year-old double U.S. Open winner is set to face Wilander on February 2 in Townsville, northern Queensland city.
It will be his first professional start since the 2001 Davis Cup final against France in Melbourne.
The Australian retired later, because of a shoulder injury which dogged him in the closing stages of his career, and then steered well clear of the game which had worn him down through more than a decade of travelling.
Announcement of the exhibition could mark the start of Rafter appearances on the senior circuit.
Former world number 1 Rafter, who has spent plenty of the past two years on the golf course but none on the tennis court, joked that his main reason for going against Wilander was to lose some weight.
"I haven't been doing too much and it should be a bit of fun playing Mats up there. It'll be interesting to see how it goes."
Rafter's life with former model Lara Feltham has been centered around the couple's 15-month-old son Joshua, with the charismatic player avoiding any contact with tennis,apart from helping former mentor Tony Roche with some junior training.
Reports indicate that the Queenslander turned down a chance to compete at next month's senior event in London, where John McEnroe, Wilander and German Wimbledon champion Michael Stich will take part.
Rafter, popular with millions of fans, was named Australian of the Year in 2002.
