Rafter is currently on a year-long break from the ATP Tour and his long-term girlfriend recently gave birth to the couple's first child.

As a result, the 29-year-old Australian warned he may never return to playing.

He told Australian television: "It's hard to say at this stage. I'm leaning towards not (playing).

"I will make a decision probably in the next couple of months."

Rafter won back-to-back titles at Flushing Meadows in 1997 and 1998 - the highlight of his playing career.

But, despite watching the tournament this week on television, he insisted it did not give him the hunger to get back on court.

"The US Open's a great tournament but I've been there and I've done it and I feel like I don't have to do that again," he said.

In his absence, Rafter has tipped compatriot Lleyton Hewitt to successfully defend his US Open crown.

"Once he gets into the tournament, I think he'll start believing that he can actually do it again," he said of Hewitt.

"He is still the form player to beat."