Australian Open 2014: Aussie Legend Pat Rafter Comes Back from Retirement

Australian Tennis legend Pat Rafter will be back on the hardcourt of Melbourne, ending his 15-year retirement to team with fellow Aussie tennis icon Lleyton Hewitt in the men's doubles competition at the 2014 Australian Open Championship.

The 41-year Rafter surprisingly accepted the wild card invitation into the Australian Open championship doubles after retiring more than a decade ago. The last time Rafter played was in the final of the 2001 Davis Cup, where Australian lost the title to France.

Rafter said it would be great to play with Hewitt before their home crowd, though he had to admit that it's tough to keep his body in tip-top shape.

"The hardest part about being around 40 is keeping your body in shape. It's tough, I must admit," Rafter told ABC Australia. "You don't look after yourself like you did. You're not in the locker room all the time. It's just a bit of fun. Doubles, half a court. I think I can do that."

Teaming up with Hewitt

Ironically, Hewitt was the last player to beat Rafter in a men's singles game before he bid his goodbye from the ATP Tour in 2001.

"I actually asked him a little while ago. He still hits a lot at the Davis Cup ties, works us out a bit," Hewitt said on Sunday via ABC. "It's just a bit of fun. It will be nice on my off days, hopefully I'm still in the singles, on my off days to go out and play doubles with Pat."

Hewitt, two-time Grand Slam champion and former world's no.1, said it was easy for him to renew his partnership with Rafter whom he considered one of the driving forces in his career.

"I obviously looked up to Pat a hell of a lot growing up. He really helped me out," Hewitt said. It's great that he's Davis Cup captain for me now, as well. Most likely I'll finish my career with him as Davis Cup captain, which is fantastic for me as well."