Australian Davis Cup team; Patrick Rafter and Tony Roche named new captain and Coach
The former top ranked tennis player from Australia Patrick Rafter has been named as the new skipper of the Davis Cup team of Australia, as confirmed by the officials on Wednesday. The thirty seven year old Rafter has been given
the task of assisting the country back into the elite world group of sixteen.
The Pembroke resident who won the United States Open on two occasions in his career and was also a Wimbledon runner up, has replaced John Fitzgerald, who retired after serving as the home side captain for nearly a decade.
Tony Roche, on the other hand who has also previously worked as a tennis coach of the major winners including Roger Federer, Ivan Lendl as well as Lleyton Hewitt has been given the position of team coach on the second occasion.
He also held the position back in 1994 to a period of six years.
Todd Woodbridge, Tennis Australia's head of men's tennis while commenting on the new induction said, "The combination of both Pat and Tony is great as both have an incredible commitment to the game of tennis and their side, and
to be able to get them both on board is really a coup."
Rafter when asked about his appointment reflected on Wednesday that he feels as thought it is a great honour and is looking forward to helping his country in the best possible way. He further added that his expectations are skyrocketing
at the moment as he has no doubt as far as the talent in Australian players is concerned and will try his level best to avail this great opportunity.
The Australian side, skipped promotion to the Davis Cup World Group back in September after Hewitt pulled out as a result of injury and the team was defeated by Belgium at 3-2.
Hewitt, who is Australia’s most successful Davis Cup contender, also welcomed Patrick and Tony’s appointment as captain and coach of the team respectively.
"Patrick and I get along great and have shared some special moments at the highest level of Davis Cup, and I look forward to working with him. And Tony, I have always said his experience is second to none and he will be a fantastic
addition again to the team."
The Australian side has so far triumphed in the Davis Cup on twenty eight occasions with most recently back in 2003.
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