By Tom Fordyce BBC Sport Online

Pat Rafter has announced his retirement from professional tennis at the age of 30.

In his glittering career the Australian won two US Open titles and held the world number one spot - but there are other reasons why tennis fans will remember him for years to come...

In an era where the baseliners dominated the game, Rafter's style was a throwback to the old days, part of a heritage stretching back through Stefan Edberg, Boris Becker and John McEnroe.

It makes it all the more puzzling that he never took the Wimbledon title - although he came about as close as you could hope to get in 2001.

The story of Rafter's rise to the top of the tennis tree reads like an embodiment of the Australian dream.

One for the ladies: Pat relaxes in Bermuda

Brought up out in the sticks, in Mount Isa, Queensland, he started playing tennis at the age of five with his brothers - of which he has five (not to mention three sisters).

Written off by numerous coaches, he steadily developed into the best player to emerge from Australia since John Newcombe.

But he never forgot his roots.

Older brother Steve manages his financial affairs, younger brother Pete travelled with him on tour, older sister Louise handles his public relations and older brother Geoff, once his coach, now handles his merchandising.

Gamesmanship? Sledging? Forget it. Rafter was the perfect gentleman on court, even in the midst of his toughest battles.

If he be unhappy with the toss-up on his serve, he'd catch the ball, raise his hand to his opponent and shout, "Sorry, mate!" as if he were playing a park game rather than Grand Slam final.

Did Rafter celebrate his first US Open triumph by going on the lash in New York, hitting the city's bars and ending up in a lap-dancing club?

No. He instantly donated half his US $1.1m winnings to a Brisbane hospital to pay for a leisure room for terminally-ill children.

One for the chaps - Rafter's girlfriend Lara

Rafter's appearance on court drew murmurs of pleasure from the ladies in the crowd in way that Tim Henman's never did.

Unlike that of most men, Rafter's sex appeal was somehow undiminished by a ponytail and, in later years, a fully-grown beard.

Still, the blokes have nothing to complain about.

Wherever Rafter played, his girlfriend Lara Feltham was there - and that was generally enough to keep the chaps smiling.

OK, Pat might never have won the thing. But the part he played in that epic final against Goran Ivanisevic 19 months ago will never be forgotten.

The most raucous crowd in Centre Court history were treated to one of the greatest men's finals of all time - and although Goran snatched it 9-7 in the fifth set, it was as touch-and-go as the scoreline suggested.

And, even in defeat, Rafter was as gracious as you could hope him to be.