SEPT 19 - 21, 2025 | SAN FRANCISCO
Eight-time Grand Slam champion Andre Agassi and Australian serve-and-volleyer Pat Rafter were fierce rivals throughout the 1990s, clashing 15 times. Rafter claimed five significant victories, including a fourth-round win at the 1997 US Open, where he captured the first of his two Flushing Meadows titles.
This year the two legends will stand side-by-side at the Laver Cup in San Francisco with Agassi as Team World Captain and Rafter as his newly appointed Vice.
“I think it’s one of the premier events right now,” said Rafter in Melbourne, where he famously played his last Australian Open match in the 2001 semifinals, falling to eventual champion Agassi in a five-set thriller. “I have heard a lot about it [the Laver Cup], and when Andre asked me to be part of it, it’s sort of a no brainer. I’d love to be part of it. Andre’s a good mate of mine as well, so it fits in really nicely.”
Agassi and Rafter possessed contrasting styles on a tennis court, and were opposites in many other ways. Agassi grew up in Las Vegas, Rafter in regional Queensland, as did his idol Rod Laver for whom the Laver Cup is named.
Rafter was known for his classic serve-volley style; few could match Agassi’s powerful baseline game and compact groundstrokes. Both were inspiring superstars of their generation, straight-talkers, consummate professionals and loved worldwide. “It was always so much fun to play him because it was that contrast of me serve-volleying and him passing me and making me play tough volleys,” remembered Rafter.
“I always enjoyed playing Andre because he didn’t have a big serve, so I felt I could always get in the points and create something, and then my serve wasn’t overly big either, so he was going to be there to make returns, even if I was having a great serving day, we were always going to battle it out.”
A friendship blossomed when they retired – Rafter in 2003 and Agassi three years later.
“When you’re playing it’s a little bit tricky,” the former No.1-ranked Australian admitted. “You’ve got the competitiveness, and there’s a bit of tension always in locker rooms. But when you retire, you get to talk to some of the old players. Andre and I have always got along great.
“We have a big connection and history with the game, so we have a lot in common when it comes to that, we certainly have traits that complement each other, but we are really different people as well.”
Rafter said the Laver Cup represented a unique opportunity to renew their competitive spirit as teammates. Their common goal was to topple Team Europe, which has won the Laver Cup five times, most recently in Berlin in 2024.
“That’s what I’m most looking forward to,” said Rafter. “We had a great time when we caught up in the past and going through the ins and outs of the event, and watching it in the past myself, I thought it was a nice way to dip my toe back into tennis … It doesn’t get any bigger than the Laver Cup.”
Vice Captain Rafter is prepared to do whatever Captain Agassi asks of him in his new role. He will happily give Team World players tips on how to improve their net skills and ensure they are ready to jump out of the blocks when the competition gets underway at the Chase Center on September 19.
“I always like to think I will be pretty calm and laid back, but once I get into it, I get pretty competitive,” said Rafter. “I will be pushing for my players and getting the best out of them … trying to get them fired up and ready to go. I think that’s my job.”
“What I expect from the players is pretty simple. You get out there and play as hard as you can. Show me that you’re putting in 100%; that’s all I expect.”
The task ahead is formidable, but nothing two Grand Slam greats can’t accomplish. Rafter acknowledged Team Europe’s incredible depth, but said Team World players “had the potential to beat anyone on any given day”.
The team environment and opportunity to win a trophy etched with the achievements of compatriot Rod Laver was a uniquely motivating factor. “I know the guy’s schedules are very tight, but it’s something that it seems all the players put their hand up to play,” said Rafter, who has experienced San Francisco before but not as a pro tennis player.
“Once you get that connection with all the players, they’re invested in it. It’s a tough match-up, but I know when you get into a team environment and invest in the competition, good things happen.”
