Pat Rafter has cast doubt over his long-term future as Davis Cup captain but says when he does move on, he wants to hand over a healthy, rejuvenated Australian team.
Rafter says he’s committed to leading Australia for another tilt at the top-tier World Group next year – assuming he’s still wanted in the role – after this year’s campaign ended in a first-round 5-0 thrashing by France on Sunday.
However he has signalled the possibility of stepping down at the end of 2015, revealing he was finding the travel aspect of the role difficult.
“I really enjoy it but because I’ve got a young family, I don’t like being away too much. That’s one real drawback for me,” Rafter told AAP.
“That part of it is really hard. I do struggle with that a bit.
“I said I’ll assess it every couple of years and I’ve done three years.
“I see myself here for the next couple of years but then again the players might not. That is a really important relationship and if they don’t get me and they’re the future, I’m not the man either.”
Rafter used this weekend’s tie in La Roche sur Yon to blood promising youngsters Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis and he believes it will be two or three years before they are completely ready for the top level.
Asked if he wanted to follow through with the process he had started with the rising stars, 41-year-old Rafter said: “Sort of but it would also be good to leave at the right time, when everything’s going really well.
“It (the role) is something I might look at trying go back to in the future … maybe when I’m 50.
“Or maybe I’m too old now, I don’t know, but it would be good to pass it off really healthy.”
Despite the comprehensive defeat to the French, Rafter is optimistic about Australia’s chances of winning its way back into the top 16 through the World Group playoffs in September.
Rafter insists veteran Lleyton Hewitt, considered Australia’s likely next captain, would play in the tie against a yet-to-be-decided opponent.
And he also called on the rest of Australia’s players to put their hands up for selection between now and then.
The likes of Marinko Matosevic, Matt Ebden and James Duckworth were overlooked for Australia’s first World Group tie since 2006 but Rafter says all remain in contention for selection.
“Everyone will put their hands up and that’s what I want,” Rafter said.
“There’s lots of guys out there knocking on the door and hopefully they can keep pushing each other and that competitiveness is really important.
“I don’t mind a little bit of jealousy as well. I think it’s healthy for a few of these guys.”
