Pat Rafter's shocking six-word statement about Indigenous Aussies should make us furious on Australia Day, writes SHAYNE BUGDEN
Pat Rafter's shocking six-word statement about Indigenous Aussies should make us furious on Australia Day, writes SHAYNE BUGDEN
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There was a lot to agree with in Pat Rafter's take on what makes our country great when he gave his thoughts on why he's proud to be Australian in the lead-up to January 26. The tennis legend said 'humility is a big part of who we are' as he railed against Aussies who develop 'a big head' and 'get an ego' while thinking they're 'better than everyone else' in a piece written for News Corp on January 24.
![[The two-time grand slam winner harked back to an Australia where 'we treated everyone the same' - and in doing so, glossed over the most shameful facets of the country's history]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/26/03/94521555-14325947-image-a-50_1737860595319.jpg)
But then Rafter illustrated his point about changes in the national character by talking about his experiences with Indigenous Australians, and I couldn't believe what I was reading. 'I grew up in a pretty bloody Australian town - Mt Isa - in a large loving family, with white and Aboriginal mates who I played tennis with and hung out with. It wasn't about white or black; we were just mates,' he wrote, referring to his childhood in outback Queensland.
![[According to the tennis legend, images like this photo of Indigenous men chained together by the neck in Wyndham, Western Australia, represent a relationship to the nation that has been 'a little bit rocky at times']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/26/03/53335759-14325947-image-a-51_1737860775465.jpg)
So far, so good. But then he goes on: 'As a kid, you don't really know much about Aboriginal history, but when you get a bit older you find out more about what Australia is, and what it was. 'That transition has been a little bit rocky at times, but I believe it's a lot better now.'.
![[Rafter said he believes life for Indigenous Aussies is 'a lot better now' - which is true, but not true to the extent that First Nations people have nothing to protest on January 26 (pictured)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/26/03/94521953-14325947-image-a-53_1737861981109.jpg)
Pat Rafter (pictured playing in Brisbane last month) went far beyond wearing rose-coloured glasses when he gave his thoughts on Australia's relationship with its Indigenous people. The two-time grand slam winner harked back to an Australia where 'we treated everyone the same' - and in doing so, glossed over the most shameful facets of the country's history.
![[For many Aussies, Rafter (pictured on his way to winning the 1997 US Open) was a walking, talking example of the best parts of our national character]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/26/03/94521569-14325947-image-a-52_1737861226428.jpg)
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