Open worry for Rafter

Pat Rafter's participation in next month's Australian Open has been put in serious doubt after he withdrew from two key warm-up tournaments.

Pat Rafter's participation in next month's Australian Open has been put in serious doubt after he withdrew from two key warm-up tournaments.

Australia's two-time US Open champion advised the organisers of the Australian Men's Hard-court Championship and the Kooyong Classic that he would not be able to play following advice from his physiotherapist.

Rafter is recovering from shoulder surgery and told Classic organisers he did not believe he would be ready for four days' of singles in the round-robin event just prior to the first Grand Slam in Melbourne.

Davis Cup hero Mark Philippoussis has been drafted into the eight-man field for the Kooyong tournament.

Tennis Australia announced today that the center court stadium at Melbourne Park, venue for the first grand slam of 2000 on January 17, is to be renamed the Rod Laver Arena.