yesterday he was considering retiring from competitive tennis at the end of the season.

Australian Rafter wants to make a clean break from the ATP Tour after 11 years as a professional on the circuit.

After defeating Pete Sampras 6-4 7-6 (7-5) at the Kooyong Classic, a warm-up event for the Australian Open -- which begins in Melbourne on January 15 -- Rafter said: "I do not know if I will be back for another Australian Open after this year.

"I wanted to let the Australian public know that this year's event may be my last in this country.

"I want to keep my options open and you can never say never, but it looks more possible that I will go at the end of this season.'' The two-time US Open champion could play his last event at this year's US Open in New York in September.

However, Rafter is also a stalwart of Australia's Davis Cup team, and success this season could yet mean that he bows out in a Davis Cup final in front of his home fans in December.

Rafter was part of the Australia team that lost last season's final to Spain in December, and he said: "It would be wonderful to finish my career in the final of the Davis Cup in Australia. It could happen.'' The 28-year-old, who has bought a home in Bermuda and spends several weeks on the Island each year, was forced off the Tour for six months at the end of 1999 and beginning of 2000 after undergoing surgery on a shoulder injury.

Rafter, however, insisted that his decision was nothing to do with any lingering doubts over his fitness.

"There is no problem with my shoulder any more,'' he said.

"The issue of retirement has been in my mind for a couple of years now.

"The travelling, the training and the playing involved in this job makes it very tough and stressful at times.

"I've realised there are other things to life than just tennis, and whether or not I make a clean break at the end of the year, I certainly want to slow things down.

"What I don't want to be is someone who says they are going to go, and then realises that they regret the decision and attempt a comeback.

"So I will assess the situation at the end of the season.

"I have personal goals that I want to accomplish this year. I also intend to put in a really big effort this year, but if everything goes to plan and I achieve the things I have set out to do, then I will know that enough is enough.'' Rafter, from Queensland, became number one in the world in July, 1999.

He was the first Australian to achieve such a feat since John Newcombe in 1974.

Rafter's finest triumphs came at the US Open in 1997 and 1998, when he beat Greg Rusedski and compatriot Mark Philippoussis in respective years to take the title.

His other best showing at a Grand Slam came last year when he lost the Wimbledon final to Sampras. So far, he has accrued prize money in excess of US$9 million.

The lowest point of his career was missing Australia's Davis Cup final victory over France in 1999 because of the shoulder injury.

In 2000, he slipped to number 15 in the year-end ATP Champions Race rankings.

"It becomes more difficult to motivate yourself,'' said Rafter. "I am someone who needs to work very hard on my game and on my physique, and I don't know if I want to go through all that again and again.'' Sampras, Rafter's opponent yesterday, and Newcombe and John Fitzgerald, previous and current Australia Davis Cup captains respectively, have tried to change Rafter's mind.

"Pete came in to the locker room and asked me what was going on,'' said Rafter. "He said I was still one of the young guys.

"I have talked to Newk (Newcombe) and John (Fitgerald), and there are a couple of differences of opinion -- but no animosity.'' Pat Rafter: feeling the stress after years on the pro circuit.