Former world no.1 elevated to Legend status at the 2024 Queensland Sport Awards

Two-time Grand Slam winner and former world No.1, Pat Rafter OLY,  was recently elevated to legendary status at the 2024 Queensland Sport Awards and Hall of Fame Induction. 

Speaking at the awards night held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Thursday 21 November, the Queensland Tennis great was truly honored to be awarded with the recognition. 

“I’m just really happy, it is a very cool award and it does mean a lot to me,” said Rafter. 

Born in Mt Isa, Rafter’s parents, Jim and Jocelyn, moved him and his eight siblings to the Sunshine Coast in the 1980s which allowed the then eight-year-old to pursue his love of Tennis.

Over the course of Rafter’s 10 year professional career he amassed 21 career titles, including back to back US Open titles in 1997 and 1998, as well as two Wimbledon Men’s Singles finals appearances. 

Rafter also represented the nation as a member of the Australian Davis Cup Team from 1992 to 2001, before going on to captain the team from 2010-2015. 

In 2001 Rafter was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and was subsequently named Australian of the Year in 2002.

Whilst a competitive and attacking player on the court, he was also highly respected amongst his peers, winning the ATP Sportsmanship Award four times. 

Philanthropic by nature, the now 51-year-old remains heavily involved with a number of charitable organisations including the Cherish the Environment Foundation. 

If Rafter was to serve up one piece of advice to the next generation of Queensland stars,  it would be to stay resilient.

“You have to be tough,” he said. 

“Everyone out there has a certain amount of talent and there are a lot of people around the world doing the same thing you are doing.

“So you have to be prepared to take some hits and losses along the way, as it is all about how you rebound.”