The Australian had been made a 16-1 shot by some bookmakers to triumph at the All England Club in July, but he has confirmed that he will not be entering the tournament.

"A comeback is definitely a no-go this year," said Rafter, who took a break from the sport in December.

"That's one thing I do know for definite but for the future it's really hard to tell, I really don't know.

"Day to day I feel different about it - some days I feel excited about it, some days I don't want to."

With defending champion Goran Ivanisevic already out because of injury, both of last year's men's singles finalists will be missing from the 2002 event.

Rafter has also ruled out making a comeback for Australia against India in their Davis Cup world group qualifying tie in September.

"I think you've got to understand that for me to come back and play again I'd need to train for a month or two just on fitness and then another two months on court," he said.

Australia's Davis Cup captain John Fitzgerald said earlier he hoped Rafter would be available for the tie.