Patrick Rafter has hinted he might make a comeback if Australia loses this week's Davis Cup final against France.
The 28-year-old Australian plans to take an extended break from tennis after the November 30th-December 2nd final at Melbourne Park but revealed today he might reconsider if Australia lost.
"There probably couldn't be a more fitting ending if I could win this one," Rafter said. "If it wasn't meant to be then I would like to come back . . . because the Davis Cup is a great event, it's a lot of fun".
"I'm never going to officially retire in case I ever want to come back".
The two-time US Open champion and former world number one said he wanted to stay involved in Davis Cup in the future, even if it wasn't as a player.
"Davis Cup has been a big part of my life," he said. "I'm very, very passionate about it and it's very hard to forsee me not doing anything involved with tennis".
Rafter said he was confident of playing against France after his injured right arm showed signs of responding to treatment.