Open, is contemplating retirement.

The Australian, who has lived in Bermuda for five years, said he was "getting bored'' of the gruelling life on the Association of Tennis Professionals Tour.

"I'm starting to have had enough of it,'' Rafter, who is continuing his comeback from shoulder surgery this week at the Ericsson Open tournament in Florida, was quoted as saying by The Australian newspaper.

"I don't want to put a date on when I call it a day,'' said the 27-year-old Rafter.

"Listen, I'm enjoying coming out here, I really do get a lot out of that still. But the body finds it hard and I'm starting to feel it's harder and harder the longer time goes on, the grind, the travel, the hotels.

"To be honest, I'm begining to become a little bit bored.

"I still feel very confident in my own ability to survive but there are a lot of young players out here who are really up for it now.

"I've got used to being away from home. I've been living out of a suitcase since I was 17, but I'm starting to enjoy having my own life and I want to do my own things.'' Rafter, winner of the 1997 and 1998 US Opens, is playing his fourth tournament after surgery on his right shoulder late last year.

"I had time to reflect on my career while I was out of the game and I have to be honest and say I didn't miss it as much as I thought I would,'' Rafter said.

Rafter has signed up to play doubles with fellow Aussie Paul Kilderry in the Bermuda Open which starts on April 24 at Coral Beach.

Last year, the same pair made themselves hugely popular with the local crowd in their run to the final.

Rafter said playing a part in Australia's defence of the Davis Cup was his main goal this year. He missed his homeland's win over France in the Cup final last December because of his shoulder problems.

"My goal is to be ready for the Davis Cup tie against Germany (in Adelaide) next month, and I'm working hard towards it,'' he said.

"If we can keep winning Davis Cup, I'll continue to have goals throughout the year.'' Yesterday, the former world number one was officially included in Australia's team for the quarter-final against Germany. His injury kept him out of Australia's opener against Switzerland last month.

Rafter was named alongside Lleyton Hewitt, Mark Philippoussis and Mark Woodforde for the match on grass at Adelaide's Memorial Drive from April 7-9.

Australian captain John Newcombe said the team was Australia's number one combination and, provided all players were fit, he was expecting big things.

"Anything can and does happen in Davis Cup,'' he said. "Form and fitness are two very pliable commodities, so we will wait and see how the guys pull up -- particularly Pat's shoulder and if Mark (Philippoussis) is suffering any knee soreness -- after a week of training on the grass.

"The Germans want this as badly as we do, and all of us know we're in for a long haul next week.'' Germany defeated the Netherlands last month to advance to the quarter-finals.

Hewitt was stunned to hear Rafter was thinking of quitting.

The 18-year-old Aussie, who started the year with 13 successive wins before losing in the fourth round of the Australian Open, said it would be a major blow for Australian tennis if the 1997 and '98 US Open champion retired.

"He has been an icon to Australian tennis, particularly in the last five years when he's given everything in his career to win two Grand Slams and perform heroics in the Davis Cup,'' said Hewitt.

"I still think he's as good a player now as he was when he won the two Grand Slams,'' he said.

Pat Rafter ... I'm beginning to become a little bit bored.'