| | SYDNEY, Australia -- Defending doubles champion Pat Rafter,
a two-time U.S. Open winner, withdrew from the Australian Open late
Monday but left it to his doubles partner to let the organizers
know.
Rafter, who returned to competition from an injury layoff last
week when he partnered with Wayne Arthurs in the doubles at the
adidas International in Sydney, was expected to join Arthurs again
in doubles play this week.
Australian Open chief executive Paul McNamee said Arthurs had
informed him of Rafter's withdrawal.
"Wayne told me Pat couldn't make it," McNamee said in a
statement.
Rafter has been sidelined since pulling out of the U.S. Open
last August. He underwent surgery to repair a torn rotor cuff in
his right shoulder in October and last week said he wanted to
gently feel his way back onto the circuit.
The 27-year-old Australian combined with Jonas Bjorkman to win
the Australian Open doubles title last year.
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