8/2/11 10:51 PM | Johan Lindahl
Bernard Tomic will have special help from his Davis Cup captain Patrick Rafter as the teenaged Australian prepares to make a serious run in the US Open this month.
The No. 71 youngster who made his breakthrough with a Wimbledon quarter-final, will hope that two-time (1997-1998) New York winner Rafter might offer helpful strategy hints along the way. "I'm looking forward to seeing him again at the US Open," Tomic told Australian media before departing for run-up events in North America.
"We get along great. He's become a friend and we've built a relationship outside the Davis Cup."
Tomic called Rafter's tennis experience "immense. I'm on the right track the way I'm trying to play, and Pat will only help. I know I've got a lot more improving to do."
The youngster will be playing the main draw at the event for the first time after losing in qualifying on his first attempt in 2010. "The conditions and the courts really suit me, the ball stays pretty low and it's not too fast. I think I can do really well if I get a good draw."
Tomic has already begun making a down payment on Rafter's tennis help by becoming the first major signing of January's Brisbane ATP event - played in the Pat Rafter arena.
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What a heck of a player Rafter. I really miss his style of game and his matches against Sampras. And I don't forget those 2 historic semis at Wimbledon against Agassi. Aaaahh, THAT was tennis.
Now we have 2 bunnies running around the baseline all the time...
Emiliano55 , 8/3/11 9:22 PM