WIMBLEDON finalist Pat Rafter doubts the Davis Cup rift between the Australian team and Mark Philippoussis will have healed before the Olympics next month.
The former world No.1 and dual US Open champ doesn't think Philippoussis will show for a Sydney training camp with team coach Tony Roche after the US Open (August 28-September 10), predicting the Victorian "will do his own thing".
"We'll just stick to ourselves," Rafter said of Davis Cup stalwarts Lleyton Hewitt, Mark Woodforde, Todd Woodbridge and Victorian Andrew Ilie. "And I'm sure he'll (Philippoussis) do his own thing.
"He may take part in the camp, but I can't see it. If he doesn't want to be part of Davis Cup, I can't see him wanting to be part of a team at the Olympics, where we're competing as individuals anyway. I can't really see us wanting to watch his matches and I'm sure he won't be out there watching us. That's okay, no big deal."
Upset at Philippoussis's decision to bypass the Davis Cup semi-final against Brazil in Brisbane two weeks ago, Rafter will meet Philippoussis in Toronto this week for the first time since the furore exploded. Rafter does not expect the initial conversations to be amicable.
"It's going to be interesting," the Queenslander said. "As far as I'm concerned, if he wants to talk, we can talk. But he's got a lot of rebuilding to do."
Philippoussis withdrew from the Brazil tie because of soreness in his left knee and fatigue after reaching Wimbledon's quarter-finals, making the decision others had anticipated for weeks the day before Rafter was to play the All-England Club final against Pete Sampras.
Perversely, Rafter's honesty – along with Colonial Classic promoter Colin Stubs' decision not to invite Philippoussis to contest the event again – has been condemned in some quarters.
Rafter just wants Australia's best outfit on court, especially in Davis Cup, where he regards team spirit as stronger than anything, including the world-class skill and aggression Philippoussis could provide.
If the Scud can't convince teammates of his future Cup intentions, he'll almost certainly have to organise his own practice partners in Sydney, where Australia will aim for its first singles medal, leaving the Woodies to defend their doubles gold.