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 | | Friday, 19 April, 2002, 13:21 GMT 14:21 UK Rafter skips French Open  Rafter says he is enjoying life away from the tour Patrick Rafter, currently taking an extended break from tennis, will not return for the French Open at the end of May. Rafter announced last year that he would be taking an indefinite sabbatical from the tour after Australia's appearance in the Davis Cup final. However, an agonising Wimbledon final loss to Goran Ivanisevic coupled with his team's shock defeat to France in December led many to believe that the 29-year-old might return to the tour to finish his career on a high. But he admitted in February he was in no rush to start playing again, stating during an appearance on an Australian television show: "Put it this way, I am enjoying retirement."
French Open organisers automatically entered him in the draw for this year's event, despite the Australian's absence from the tour. "He informed us that he didn't wish to take part," a statement said. During his career, Rafter was hampered by a shoulder injury which needed constant treatment. The two-time US Open champion will be replaced by Britain's Martin Lee. Lee has broken into the world's top 100 this year but has never progressed beyond the first round of any Grand Slam outside Wimbledon. He will be making his debut in the main draw at Roland Garros. | |
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