Australia's Patrick Rafter became an American champion in 1997, capturing the US Open men's singles title. He returned in 1998 to successfully defend his US crown, becoming the first and still remains the only Australian man in the Open era to win back-to-back US Open Championships. In his 12-year career he captured 11 singles titles and 10 doubles titles, including the 1999 Australian Doubles Championship (with partner Jonas Bjorkman).

Rafter was ranked in the World Top 10 three times from 1997-2001, earning the world No. 1 ranking in 1999. He was a finalist at Wimbledon in 2000, returning to the final again in 2001. In an epic championship final, Rafter and Goran Ivanisevic played an exciting, long and grueling match that resulted in a victorious Ivanisevic (9-7 in the fifth), one of the most dramatic finals in the history of Wimbledon.

Rafter is an eight-year veteran of Australia's Davis Cup team (1994-01) with a career win-loss record of 21-11 (18-10 in singles; 3-1 in doubles). Born December 28, 1972, in Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia, Rafter is described by his opponents as a gracious competitor both in style and demeanor.

He was presented the 1998 Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award, after donating his 1997-98 US Open winnings to the Brisbane Mater Hospital's foundation for terminally ill children. In 1999, he and his sister launched the Patrick Rafter Cherish The Children Foundation, which he remains actively involved in today.

Rafter is a four-time winner of the ATP's Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award (1997, 1999-01) and was given one of Australia's highest honors, named Australian of the Year in 2002.

Rafter is the 24th Australian to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.