practice at the XL Capital Bermuda Open.

But the two-time US Open winner told The Royal Gazette he hoped the problem would not be a major setback on the road to recovery from the torn rotator cuff which sidelined him for nearly four months.

And he is confident of playing in the next grand slam event this year, the French Open in Paris next month. Bermuda-based Australian Rafter and his countryman Paul Kilderry made a first-round exit from the Open doubles on Tuesday night against South African pairing Jeff Coetzee and Brent Haygarth, to the disappointment of the centre court crowd.

Rafter said there had been a "little bit'' of pain in the shoulder during practice on Monday night.

"There was a little problem out there but hopefully I can work it out over the next week and a half,'' said Rafter. "I will be playing in the French.'' Rafter retired from his first-round match against Cedric Pioline in the US Open last September when the shoulder injury hurt him too much to continue.

And that kept the former world number one out of action until early this year.

Rafter enjoys supporting the annual ATP Challenger event at Coral Beach, but treats it primarily as training preparation for the major claycourt tournaments imminent on the ATP Tour.

After the 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 defeat, Rafter said: "Doubles is a game of chances and we just didn't take ours. I'm not too disappointed though I'd have liked to hang around here a bit longer. Now I've got some hard work to do before I go off to Europe.'' Rafter was in outstanding form over the first two sets. His volleying in particular was virtually flawless.

"I thought I played quite well early in the match, but singles is obviously completely different to doubles,'' said Rafter.