Pat Rafter, the former world No. 1 tennis player and Australian sporting figure, has officially aligned himself with the growing sport of padel. Rafter, who serves as an ambassador for Padel Australia, has been named as a member of the 'Aussie Crocs,' the national squad for the sport. Padel, often described as a miniature version of tennis, is gaining traction in Australia, and Rafter is set to participate in an exhibition tournament scheduled to take place at the Sydney Opera House starting August 15.

Beyond his involvement in the exhibition, Rafter has expressed curiosity regarding the development of talent in Australia compared to other nations. He specifically questioned why Australia is not currently producing tennis players with the same frequency or style as Spain, a country that has consistently dominated the sport in recent years. Rafter noted that he does not currently have a clear answer as to why this disparity exists, highlighting a broader concern regarding the state of Australian tennis development. While Rafter remains a prominent figure in the Australian sporting landscape, his transition into padel highlights both his continued engagement with racquet sports and his ongoing reflection on the competitive health of Australian tennis.