How I Became a Patrick Rafter Fan
One afternoon, I returned home and my dad was looking at a copy of Tennis Magazine. He urged me to come over and take a look at something. In that issue of Tennis Magazine was a copy of a birthday calendar for all of the professional tennis players. My father and I were truly shocked when we read that both Patrick Rafter and I were born December 28th, 1972! This was very bizarre to say the least! I began rooting for Rafter immediately, although much to my frustration at the time, they appeared to be broadcasting another young Aussie, Mark Philippoussis, more than my beloved birthday boy, which annoyed me greatly. Although many people thought of me as not so bright for rooting for the muscular man from down under, I was eventually redeemed as Patrick rose to the challenge and won two back-to-back US Open Championships as well as many other smaller
tourneys. I am very proud to be a long-term Rafter Fan!
Indirect Rafter Encounter
An old Boyfriend of mine, originally from Morocco, went to see the World Cup Soccer in Paris for 1998. He noticed Patrick, who was playing in the
French open at the time, walk into the club he happened to go to that night. My Moroccan ex-beau debated on whether or not he should walk up to Rafter and get an autograph or strike up a conversation. He decided against it, feeling it would be entirely too tacky. Later on that evening, however, they both happened to be at the bar at the same time for refills. Patrick actually sat down with my ex-beau and had a lovely conversation with him. Although my ex-boyfriend neglected to tell Rafter about the birthday commonality, he did explain to Rafter that he used to date a girl that absolutely adored him and had to watch every match he played in. He even went on to add how jealous he used to be of Patrick for "stealing" so much of my attention!
US Open Experience
Anonymous:
"As for me, I think I'm average appearance, body, mind, etc. and I'm content with that. I really don't think I was dolled up the day I met you at the Open, but I was there to see Rafter. I
wound up meeting a guy that worked at the Open and he got me in to see Rafter in the photographer's row ON THE COURT!! I only watched the 1st 2 sets and 3 games of the 3rd
(because the guy had to get back to work and my family was waiting to leave), but it was truly an AMAZING experience. The hardest task was I couldn't cheer for Rafter...since I
technically wasn't supposed to be there, the objective was to draw as little attention as possible. At one point, Rafter came over right in front of me for a shot...I was totally enveloped in
the point and watching the ball. After the point ended, the guy that brought me in said, "Did you see that?!?!?". I asked, "Do you mean the ball? I think it was out." The guy (Peter)
said, "No, no...not that!!!! Rafter!!!! He looked right at you and winked!!!!" I was completely dumbfounded...if it did happen, I'm sorry I missed it!!! Another possibility I thought of is
maybe Rafter's girlfriend was behind me and he was really winking at her. At least I had the best possible seats in the house other than the umpire!!"
Leta :)
>From:
anonymous
>To: leta hough <houghl@hotmail.com>
>Subject: hi
>Date: Fri, 08 Sep 2000 22:17:59 -0400
>
>so you saw rafter that close?
that's pretty cool. He definitely has a nicer
>body than me :)(not to mention
a lot more richer than me) so I bet you liked
>seeing him that close. Too bad he LOST...haha..I could have done better
>against blanco with my eyes
closed. so its
>all good...well I better get offline...people are probably
trying to call
>me...write me back and ill respond ASAP....have fun tonight...you should go
>out and meet some nice guys...talk later :)
>
>anonymous
Anonymous:
"Yeah, I'm sure you could've played better than Rafter with your eyes closed because you'd be
dreaming'...JUST KIDDING :) I'm sorry, I couldn't resist when I saw the remark you
made...but I know you were partying and had fine looking distractions on your mind. Seriously, though, I think Rafter had a head cold that evening so I'm sure he wasn't playing top
form...although I was still very impressed with what I saw...and right now I mean beyond the looks...his tennis skills were superb and he hits the ball a lot harder than it appears from a
distance or on television. From what I saw, he was going for a lot of the lines...I'm supposed to have 20-10 vision no surgery no contacts, though, and I think Rafter got some bad
calls."
Leta :)
>From: anonymous
>To: leta hough <houghl@hotmail.com>
>Subject: hi
>Date: Sat, 09 Sep 2000 19:27:38 -0400
>
>hey. seems like you are really
sweatin' rafter. you definitely like to
>stand up for him. its all good though. I think he is burned out and
>should retire. :) sorry
>
>anonymous
Anonymous:
"Well, everyone's entitled to an opinion...can't say I agree with you. Trust me, Rafter's worth standing up for...he's a good man and no, I don't ONLY mean good-looking. Whether he
wins or loses, he's mature and gracious...can't say that about some of the players out there. He's charitable...again, there are other players who seem to be obsessed with money...but not
Patrick. And, Rafter really works hard for each point...I never cease to be amazed by his motivation and
perseverance. If he chooses to retire from tennis, I only think that's because he's
got more than enough potential to
excel in many other areas of his life. I think he's really excelled at golf too. When you say I'm
sweatin'' him...that only leads to wishful thinking on
my part:) He's happily taken, though, and a little out of my league/too good for me."
Leta :)