Patrick Rafter

Pat Rafter is considering an approach to return to Australian tennis, potentially as the next Davis Cup captain.

The former world No 1, a dual US Open champion, confirmed he has had discussions with Tennis Australia after claiming a seniors event in Delray Beach, Florida, last week.

Rafter, who twice reached the Wimbledon final, is interested but said any role depended on family commitments. "We're talking right now," he said. "They want me to get involved but it's just a matter of I don't want to travel and be away from my family."

Despite a decorated Davis Cup career, Rafter was never part of a winning Australian team. He missed Australia's win over France in 1999 because of injury, was forced to withdraw in the final in 2000 against Spain, and then could not play the deciding rubber against France the following year because of the shoulder problem that hastened his retirement.

"I wish I had a Davis Cup to my name," Rafter told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Pat Rafter won the AEGON Masters Tennis at the Royal Albert Hall after a spell-binding serve-and-volley showdown with Stefan Edberg in Sunday’s final.

Rafter triumphed 6-7(5), 6-4, 11-9 (Champions Tie-Break) in a match that rolled back the years and reminded a packed crowd and ITV4 television audience of how tennis used to be played in the 1980’s and 1990’s. This was the ATP Champions Tour at its best.

Edberg had been the form-player coming into the final, with round-robin victories over Younes El Aynaoui, Mark Philippoussis and Stefan Edberg, while Rafter had lost to Pat Cash and benefited from the retirement of Goran Ivanisevic while trailing 3-5 in the first set on Saturday.

In a pulsating first set against against Rafter, it was a similar set, with Edberg winning the big points in the tie-break to take it 7-5.

The 36-year-old Rafter went up a gear in set two, breaking the 43-year-old Edberg to win the set 6-4 and take it into a sudden-death decider - the Champions’ Tie-Break.

Both players continued to throw the kitchen sink at one another, serving, volleying, chip and charging, and generally giving a masterclass in how to play tennis near the net.

It was Rafter who finally struck the decisive blow, hitting a stunning running backhand down the line past the incoming Edberg to take the mini-break and a 10-9 lead. A point later he served it out to take the title on his debut. It was Rafter’s first win over Edberg in four attempts.

"This tournament has been unreal," said Rafter afterwards. "It's a great venue and I've been really excited to play here. At the same time it's been great to catch up with my old mates again and if they invite me back here next year, I'll be back."

The ATP Champions Tour will recommence in 2010 with new events in Delray Beach, Florida (February 20-23), and Zurich (March 9-13).

Pat Rafter ensured that the defending champion Cedric Pioline would not figure in the final this year after a 6-4, 6-4 win on the Australian’s debut at the AEGON Masters Tennis tournament in London.

Rafter thrilled fans with a net-rushing masterclass, and showed that he has a sense of humour by asking spectators on the front row which way his opponent would serve.

For the Australian, who last played a match in England in the 2001 Wimbledon final, it was a special day.

“It was a great experience,” he said.

“I was a little nervous actually. I’ve always wanted to come here and play and I got that opportunity tonight and there was a great atmosphere out there so I really enjoyed the experience.”

Rafter was also relatively satisfied with his performance.

“I’m still volleying and serving ok, I’m just that half a step slower. I came up with a couple of shots today that I don’t normally play but I also hit about five forehands in the bottom of the net so that’s pretty typical of how I used to play!”