MELBOURNE, Australia — Pat Rafter, a two-time champion of the U.S. Open, has been appointed as the new vice-captain for Team World for the upcoming 2025 Laver Cup. This announcement was made during a press conference held at the Australian Open this past Sunday, confirming Rafter’s new role in support of captain Andre Agassi at the prestigious event scheduled to take place in San Francisco in September.

“I am truly honored to take on this role,” expressed Rafter, who once held the No. 1 ranking in the world. The Australian tennis star secured back-to-back U.S. Open titles in 1997 and 1998 and was also a finalist at Wimbledon. “The Laver Cup is an incredible event, and being part of something that pays tribute to Rod Laver and the generations of tennis that came before is very meaningful to me.”

Patrick McEnroe, who previously held the vice-captain position under his brother John McEnroe and has contributed to the tournament since its inception in 2017, conveyed his trust in Rafter’s capabilities. “He’s a Hall of Famer and one of the most respected figures in tennis,” McEnroe stated. “This is a significant advancement for the team.”

The Laver Cup pays homage to Rod Laver’s remarkable achievement of winning all four major tennis tournaments in a single calendar year. Additionally, the main arena at the Australian Open is named after this tennis legend, cementing his enduring legacy in the sport.