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 Monday, January 17
 
Associated Press

 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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