Former World No. 1 Pat Rafter Suits Up For Australia At FIP Senior World Cup

Pat Rafter, the former world No. 1 tennis player, is competing for Australia at the FIP Senior World Cup in Buenos Aires this week.

A second act on the court

Rafter is part of Australia's 13-player men's squad, nicknamed the Aussie Crocs, at the tournament's main draw, which opened September 14 and runs through September 19 in Buenos Aires. He plays alongside Jake Benzal, Tim Lanyon, Rob Daley and nine other teammates under head coach Ross Taylor and team manager Ryan Bougie.

The event is the FIP Senior World Cup's fourth edition and its first time in South America. The field has grown to 32 men's national teams and 26 women's squads, contesting best of five ties across five age divisions from 40 and over to 60 and over. Argentina defends the men's title and Spain defends the women's title, both won at the 2024 edition in La Nucia, Spain.

From grand slams to the net

Rafter won back to back US Open titles in 1997 and 1998 and reached back to back Wimbledon finals in 2000 and 2001. Since retiring from tennis he has become one of padel's most visible advocates in Australia and is a regular member of the national team setup.

"Padel is unlike anything else I've played," Rafter said. "It's fast, dynamic, incredibly entertaining to watch and fun and social to play. Once you try it, you understand why millions of people around the world have fallen in love with it."

Australia's women's team is also competing in Buenos Aires, led by head coach Antoni Pi Alarcon and captained on court by Alexia Dalley, the country's No. 3 ranked player.