Twenty two years after retiring from the professional tennis circuit, Australian tennis icon Pat Rafter has forged a family-friendly life for himself, along with his wife and children, off the court.
One of our most famous athletes of all time, Pat Rafter is an undeniable force in the tennis world both at home, and abroad. But despite leaving the glory of the court in 2003, Rafter has continued to be one of the most likeable and best-known figures in the sports world, to date.
During his professional tenure atop the world men’s singles rankings, Rafter counts a career total of 11 ATP singles titles and ten doubles titles among his myriad achievements.
Notably, the tennis ace won back-to-back US Open titles in 1997 and 1998, becoming the first Australian to do so and cementing his legacy as one of our most revered sportspeople of all time.
While he might not be making headlines for his classic serve-and-volley style these days, Rafter and his professional expertise, is still a media mainstay during tennis season and beyond.
When he’s not courting success for the Australian tennis community, or offering advice to the next generation of sports stars, you’ll find him spending quality time with his family on their sprawling Byron Hinterland estate.
Below, everything to know about Pat Rafter, his wife and their two children.
Who Is Pat Rafter’s Wife Lara Rafter?
Pat Rafter and his wife, Lara Rafter – a former model and marketing executive – first began in the late nineties.
After dating for a few years, the couple got engaged in the early 2000, a year prior to the birth of their first child, son, Joshua, in 2001.
Two years later, Pat and Lara welcomed their second child, a daughter named India.
The Rafters were married in 2004 among family and friends in an intimate ceremony in Fiji.
Maintaining an incredibly private life, the family are rarely seen out and about in public together, but Pat has made a few candid comments about the love he has for his brood over the years.
In 2016, Rafter sat down with Mamamia to talk all things fatherhood and family life. Speaking candidly with the publication, he noted that the secret to a long, happy marriage lies in working together.
“Being a good father means being a good husband,” he said.
“My wife and I aren’t always going to see eye-to-eye, but what we do is agree to disagree and stand united over big decisions in the family.”
Being on the same page has obviously worked out well for Rafter, who will celebrate he and Lara’s 21-year wedding anniversary this year.
As for their children, both maintain the low profile of their parents.
India Rafter, now 19, is a keen amateur photographer, sharing snaps of the family to her own Instagram from time to time.
The Rafter’s eldest, Joshua, recently celebrated his 22nd birthday.
Although the tennis star achieved huge success professionally, he counts fatherhood as his greatest achievement.
“Spending as much free time as possible with [the] kids. For me this is the most important time, when I don’t have do the “parent thing,” he said of his most treasured moments.
“As a father, I naturally want my kids to do their best. That’s something I try to instil in them as part of the qualities that help one to success in all of life’s challenges.”
What Does Pat Rafter Do Now?
After retiring from professional tennis in 2003, the former world number one became the founding ambassador of Padel Australia.
Not only does the sports icon work to bring awareness to the exciting sport, but the 51-year-old still competes – most recently at the Senior World Padel Championships in Alicante, Spain.
Additionally, Rafter, along with friends Dave Keam and James Gourley, founded the racquet-inspired fashion brand called Rallee.
Speaking with Esquire shortly after the brand launched, Rafter noted that while a career pivot into the fashion world wasn’t where he was expecting to land, he was excited by the prospect of jumping into something new.
“I’ve decided to have a bit of a crack and step outside my comfort zone,” he said of the new direction.
“And it’s not your run-of-the-mill stuff. We’re having a go, thinking outside the box. Fashion isn’t necessarily me, but it ties in well with racquet sports.”
If his on-court nineties looks are anything to go by, Rafter’s foray into the fashion world isn’t as far off expertise-wise, as he might claim.
