Pat Rafter - Sleeping in Tents, Fighting Brothers, and the Climb to World #1

In this highly anticipated episode of Deuce, Australian tennis icon Pat Rafter sits down with AP and Woz for a uniquely candid conversation. The two-time US Open champion peels back the layers of his career, moving beyond the "nice guy" image to reveal the grit, the sibling rivalries, and the sheer unpredictability of life on the ATP Tour.

From the Tent to Centre Court

Perhaps the most shocking revelation for modern tennis fans is Pat’s "budget" beginnings. Before he was a household name and World No. 1, Rafter wasn't staying in five-star hotels. He recalls a period early in his career where he was literally sleeping in a tent to save money while traveling.

"I remember hitting Centre Court at Wimbledon after coming from basically the back of a van or a tent," Pat laughs. This grounded upbringing—far from the high-performance academies of today - fueled a mental toughness that would eventually see him dominate the serve-and-volley era.

The "Sibling War" and the Toughest Opponents

Pat discusses his upbringing in a large, competitive family, admitting that some of his most brutal "matches" were actually fights with his brothers. This internal family competition forged his competitive spirit but also created moments of intense self-doubt.

On the professional circuit, Rafter opens up about the "nightmare" opponents who kept him up at night. He dives into the psychological battles of facing legends like Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi, and the "horse pills" he had to take just to manage the physical toll—specifically the debilitating cramps that threatened to end his career early.

Parties, Supermodels, and the Celebrity Whirlwind

As Pat’s star rose, so did his profile in the social scene. He touches on the surreal transition from a quiet Queenslander to a global celebrity rubbing shoulders with supermodels and attending high-profile parties.

"Nothing was out of bounds," AP notes as Pat shares stories of the tour's social side that rarely make the highlights reel. Despite the glamour, Rafter remains refreshingly honest about the "stinks" and the unglamorous reality of constant travel and locker room politics.

Overcoming the Doubts

Beneath the serve-and-volley masterclass was a player frequently plagued by doubts. Rafter discusses the mental hurdles of the "nearly man" phase of his career before his breakthrough 1997 US Open win. He describes the feeling of finally reaching the summit and the strange emptiness that can follow achieving a lifelong dream.

Watch the full, incredible journey of an Aussie legend on Fanatics TV.

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