Also See: Nadal, Serena walk on water!
A late bloomer, the charismatic Aussie made serve and volley his trade.
Despite being a natural on grass courts, he was unable to conquer Wimbledon on the two occasions he reached the final.
He lost to Pete Sampras in 2000, then finished runner-up to Goran Ivanisevic the next year. He stretched the final against Ivanisevic to five sets, but Goran's triumph that Wimbledon summer had been 'touched' by God.
Rafter went under the scalpel for a nagging shoulder injury in 2000. After the final heartbreak at Wimbledon he retired the next year before his 30th birthday.