Rafter Set For Aussie Open?

December 7, 1999 / 7:41 PM EST / CBS/AP

Two-time U.S. Open champion Patrick Rafter said if he plays at the Australian Open, it might only be in doubles.

Rafter, recovering from shoulder surgery, said he would probably not enter the year's opening Grand Slam event directly, but instead take a wild card from tournament organizers.

That would allow him to skip the singles, but remain eligible to defend his doubles title with Sweden's Jonas Bjorkman.

"A wild card is going to be presented to me if I need it because if I'm not ready for it maybe I can (just) play doubles," Rafter told The Age newspaper Wednesday.

"That's what I may end up doing because if I enter in singles and I pull out, I can't play the doubles."

Australia's No. 1 player practiced Monday for the first time since surgery in October to repair a torn rotator cuff.

The injury occurred just before this year's U.S. Open, but Rafter tried to play in the Grand Slam event. His bid to win three straight titles in New York ended when he was forced to retire during his first-round match.

Rafter said he was wary of rushing his comeback, especially at the Australian Open where matches are best-of-5 sets.

"I could be ready for it but do I want to put myself through a five-set match when I haven't even tested it out yet?" Rafter said. "This is something I can't just jump in the deep end with because if I (hurt) it I'm going to miss all of next year as well."

Rafter was sidelined for Australia's Davis Cup final win over France last weekend, and said it was a missed opportunity.

"I wanted to be there so badly and be part of it," he said. "It was my biggest goal and I got close this year but not close enough.

"Mixed emotions aside I'm so happy for those guys to have won it."