Rafter jokes he could 'choke' playing doubles with Hewitt

Australia's Davis Cup captain Pat Rafter has enjoyed smiting foes on the senior's tour since his retirement, but fears he might have bitten off more than he can chew by agreeing to partner Lleyton Hewitt in the Australian Open doubles.

The partnership with Hewitt, the most recent of Australia's Grand Slam winners, may leave sentimental locals misty-eyed as it hearkens back to the days when Australian men walked tall on the tour at the turn of the century.

For two-time US Open champion Rafter, who will return to the A-grade at the age of 41, the feelings are rather different.