Rocket to the Top

Rating:
Summary: Refreshing reading
Review: I immensely enjoyed reading this book. I read it on the road while traveling to away matches. It was a refreshing and encouraging reading. It's very heartening to see such a down-to-earth person as Rafter be so succesful at tennis. The narrative is very personal and informal. It's like Rafter is having a couple of beers with you while he gives you his insight on life as a professional tennis player. Great tennis player + Great person = Patrick Rafter

Rating:
Summary: Attention Rafter Fans
Review: If you are a Patrick Rafter fan I think you will enjoy this book. It's like he's speaking to you throughout the entire book. You get to know how he feels before and during matches. I enjoyed reading the book and hope he comes out with another book telling his story from the beginning.

Rating:
Summary: A True Champion
Review: My two favorite players are Pat Rafter and Pete Sampras so this book was destined to be of interest to me. Overall, I would say I'm slightly disappointed for not getting more in-depth into Pat Rafter the man. This is nothing but a simplistic diary of a year traveling the circuit, what he did at tournaments, where he practiced and with whom, and status of his injuries.

There is nothing in this book to criticize; it's just very simplistic reading. Pat is the epitome of an Australian man, a great athlete who credits his mates and his family for his strong bearing. Everyone knows Pat likes to toast a few and this book describes a few all-nighters after key wins.

Unfortunately, this book needed to be written sooner. The yearlong diary covers few highlights. He did make it to the semi-final of Wimbledon losing to Agassi and he did play in the Davis Cup match in Boston beating the Americans in an epic struggle with Todd Martin. But while the book starts after he won his second US Open, it ends with him losing in the first round of the US Open in 1999.

Probably the most interesting part of the book to me was the squabbles with Pete Sampras, my other favorite player. Pat starting beating Pete and I assumed Pete was struggling with this and was at fault for fallout by some of his comments. From reading this I suspect Pat was just at much at fault based on comments made at a press conference and the way he states his side of the relationship. Irrespective, they're both quality individuals and great players who went at it from different angles. It says a lot for their character that they talked on the phone to hash out any difference and can both walk away with respect for each other.

I don't mean to be disrespectful to Pat about this review. I miss his game. You knew when you watched a Pat Rafter match you got 100% effort win or lose and that attitude comes through loud and clear. I just wish it had covered more background about his upbringing including his junior tennis career to show how he grew into such a champion.