To Cassidy (Patrick Rafter - OFF TOPIC)

[kwintet123]

Cassidy wrote: Oh good because I'm a huge tennis fanatic and I really, really, really love Patrick Rafter, I'm sure you know him. After he retired from the sport, I haven't heard anything about him anymore. I know he and his girlfriend just had a baby but other than that nothing. So, if you have any information about him and if he has a plan of going back toplaying tennis again, it'll be really appreciated . I was actually planning to go to Sydney next year to watch the Australian Open but something came up and I wouldn't be able to but I'm hoping I'll be able to go the following year..........

Hi Cassidy, I am not Iconic, and I don't know whether or not she is into tennis, but I am.

Patrick Rafter has retired from professional tennis, he made the official announcement just before the Australian Open last January. He is pursuing other options and appears in some ads here, plus is working for his charity for children, The starlight Foundation. I expect he will at some stage turn up as a commentator for one of the media organisations, but can't be sure about that.

He is certainly a gorgeous young man and I think his graciousness will be sorely missed from the Tennis circuit.

I had the good fortune to see him twice during his final appearance at an Australian Open, winning the first match and then losing in the semi to Andre Agassi where he had to retire because of cramps.

Melbourne Park is a great venue to watch tennis, very intimate even at the higher levels. If you get an opporunity to do so you should jump at it.

Hope this helps. Sorry Mb, I know this is not about The Guardian.

Glenice

[iconicsoup]

Thanks kwintet - Cassidy was asking the wrong person about that. I'm not into tennis and I get my Patricks all mixed up anyway.

I'm into wrestling.

[cassidy]

Hi! Glenice,

Thank you for this update on my ever favorite tennis player. Patrick is such an amazing and wonderful player. I miss seing him in all the tennis tournaments last year and this year. I was actually up during the middle of the night during this years Australian Open (it showned about 1am ct here in the US) hoping to see a glimpse of him as a commentator or just watching on the stand.

I was so devastated when he lost at 2001 Winbeldon Final. I cried that day. That was also the time he announced that he was retiring from tennis. When I learned about it, I made sure that I will see him play the next year and boy was I lucky . I saw him play at Indianapolis Master tournament and he won. I also went to New York for the US OPEN the same year but I couldn't get a ticket.

Anyhow, I am still hoping that one day he will miss playing tennis and comeback. I really,really want him to win that WINBELDON OPEN.


I will definitely go to Australia and watch the Open when I get the opportunity.

Once again thank you so much for the above information. And mb20, thank you for not deleting this before I get the chance to read and respond to it.

Cassidy

[cecilia]

Hi, Glenice and Cassidy!
I love to see people talking tennis....I´ve never even grabbed a racket, but I watch the australian open every year, and I was overjoyed in january ´99 when Kafelnikov(he is my favorite) won.
I like P. Rafter a lot, too...he seemed to be a very nice guy
....but I´m for bad ones, and like this moody russian more!
....I also like L. Hewitt....this kid is reeeally good!
Cassidy, if you ever go to Melbourne and the championship have to promise to post about it, ok?
:wave:

[kwintet123]

Ahhh, Cecelia..... Lleyton Hewit ehhh, indeed you do like bad boys!!

This one lingers too.

Glenice

[mb20]

I don't really frown upon OT stuff, unless it becomes excessive ... then try to use the GENERAL forum.