Daniel Fallon goes on court with Pat Rafter to serve up some questions on his interactive venture

One of the top three tennis players in the world, Pat Rafter is a Queenslander with a difference.  He has won two US Open titles back to back and is now preparing to defend his titles back to back and is now preparing to defend his
title again.  This time around he'll have more eyes than ever following every serve and volley, and expectations have never been higher.  As well as readying himself to face off Sampras and co., the tennis champion has also been preparing to launch a hub for tennis fans to visit on the Web.  Patrick Rafter Interactive (PRI) is set to launch in mid-August at www.oncourt.com to coincide with the build up to the US Open 1999.

DF:  What is the idea behind your new Web site Pat?  What features can visitors expect to experience?
Pat:  My new Web site will serve as a hub of tennis information for the tennis enthusiast.  I'd like to create a community of interest around tennis the game, and the tennis lifestyle.  This won't be just another "fan" site, I didn't want that.  The game of tennis is hundreds of years old and will go on well after I'm gone, but while I'm here I'd like to give something back to the game that has given me so much.

The Web site is going to be big!  You will be able to get some great tennis news, views, tips, etc. and Rohan Marr the webmaster tells me there will be Real Audio, QuickTime video and even games.  There will be other sections like News, Travel, Shopping, Photo Gallery, Health & Fitness, Members and a section dedicated to my "Cherish the Children Foundation".  There will also be a special section for the younger tennis fans with all the information they will need to play and enjoy their tennis.

DF:  Will your site be interactive?  Will you be answering fan mail?

Pat:  The site will be totally interactive.  I'd like the visitors to really get something out of their visit so they keep coming back.  Unfortunately I can't guarantee I'll respond to all fan mails as my schedule with tournaments and travel is pretty hectic, but I'll give it a good shot.  It might take a few months because I have Wimbledon and the US Open coming up very soon and I need to give those events 100%.  There will be a chat room and I'd like to jump into that when I can.

DF:  When is it being launched?

Pat:  There is an introductory site live now with an online auction, photo gallery and registration form.  This has only been up for a week or so, but we plan to launch the main site a couple of weeks before the US Open, so around mid August you will be able to view the entire site.  But you should have a look now, as there are some products to win when you register.  When we launch in August you will see a lot more than what is there currently, so make sure you come back.

DF:  What do you think of unoffficial fan sites, Web sites that make idols of celebrities like yourself?

Pat:  I am surprised by the amount of Web sites there are out there with me on them.  It is great that some fans go to this amount of effort to show their support.  In fact I'm quite flattered by it all.  One day when I have a moment I might go for a surf to see what content they have.

What I'm not too happy with is anyone that's making money from an unofficial site by selling stuff I don't know about.  Hopefully with the opening of my official site, the others will be able to join in under us and we can help each other out.

LibertyOne (www.libertyone.com.au) in conjunction with PRI's joint managers, Julian Bristow and Stephen Rafter, are looking after my Internet presence now and they keep an eye on anything that might misrepresent me.

DF:  Considering how busy all our Davis cup representatives are playing different tournaments around the globe, do you think they need notebooks and remote access to the Net to keep in touch with each other, discuss tactics and keep spirits up in the camp?  Could email be the key for both our coaches and players?

Pat:  That's interesting, I have noticed that more and more players on the tour do have notebook computers or laptops.  At most tournaments we have communciation rooms with the internet ready to go for us, and the room is always full.

So I think already the Internet and email has made a big impact on tennis.  As far as the Australian Davis Cup team goes, we all keep in contact regularly by mobile phone - you should see the bill after a chat with Newks!  I'm sure that we will all start using the email more like you described to talk tactics (and pass on jokes).

DF:  Where do you like to vist on the Web when you get a chance?

Pat:  ATP Tour (www.atptour.com) for all tennis related stuff, and Excite(www.excite.com.au) to keep up with everything happening at home.  I also likeAustralian Tennis Magazine (www.tennismag.com.au) as far as getting some local stuff.

DF:  Finally, it would be an outstanding achievement to claim a third consecutive US Open title and many people will be watching to see whether you can pull it off.  Is this new site the best place to go to keep up with the tournament?

I'm certainly aiming for a third title.  The conditions really suit me at Flushing Meadow and I've hit some really good form.  The pressure is there to perform and I don't want to let anyone down, so I'll be giving it 110%.  My new Web site will certainly cover the US Open and any visitor will get tons of information about the tournament and my progress there.  Let's hope it's for the full two weeks.

I'll be giving it my best shot to win again.  The odds are probably against it but you never know, stranger thins have happened.