Pat Rafter Aug. 10, 97 in Indianapolis

What is it about Davis Cup that your really enjoy?

Rafter: Playing for your country and havingt the thrill of winning for your country. That's the biggest things that stands out for me.

Will the Davis Cup semifinal between Australia and the USA be one of the highlights of your career?

Rafter: If I get a couple of wins it will be, if I lose it might not be quite as fun. But playing under those circumstance should be great and playing against the best players in the world and having a great team as well. We will probably go in as the underdogs but it will be very competitive and I'm looking forward to it.

Have you discussed the traditions of Davis Cup with Australia playing the US?

Rafter: Newc doesn't need to discuss any of that. Davis Cup is a big thrill for me and I don't care if we are playing the States or whomever it is, I'm putting in the same percentage. I guess there is tradition going back but I don't feel that because I wasn't there.

Davis Cup turned your career around this year (first round against France) didn't it?

Rafter: It certainly did and it got me out of a tight spot at the beginning of the year and then I haven't looked back.