When Patrick Mouratoglou speaks about tennis greatness, the tennis world listens. With 10 Grand Slam titles to his name as a coach—having mentored legends like Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, and rising star Holger Rune—he's seen every style, every era, and every player up close. But when it comes to the lost art of serve-and-volley, one name stands alone in his mind.

In a recent Instagram post, the renowned coach revealed his pick for the greatest serve-and-volley player in tennis history: Pat Rafter. "If you ask me about underrated legends, the first name that comes to my mind is Pat Rafter," Mouratoglou shared. "I think he deserves to be remembered, because to me, he's the best serve-and-volley player of all time."

What made Rafter so special? Mouratoglou paints a vivid picture: "Anticipating, jumping, hitting incredible volleys, this animality that Pat Rafter had—it was something I really loved." That raw, athletic energy is what set the Australian apart during a golden era of tennis. Rafter reached world No. 1—even if only for a single week—while competing against titans like Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Goran Ivanisevic, Lleyton Hewitt, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, and Marat Safin.

Interestingly, Mouratoglou draws a parallel between Rafter's on-court intensity and another sports icon: Mike Tyson. It's a fitting comparison for a player who combined explosive power with graceful net play. But the coach also admired how Rafter carried himself off the court, making him a true role model for the sport.

Rafter's career included two more Wimbledon finals in 2000 and 2001 before an injury forced his retirement in 2003, with his final match coming during the Davis Cup. While serve-and-volley hasn't completely vanished from the game, it's become a rarity compared to two decades ago. The shift comes down to slower court surfaces and the sheer power of modern rackets, making passing shots easier and net approaches riskier. These days, players like Maxime Cressy occasionally revive the style, but pure serve-and-volley specialists are a dying breed.

For fans of tennis history and those who appreciate the elegance of a perfectly executed net rush, Rafter's legacy remains a masterclass in a lost art—one that Mouratoglou believes deserves to be remembered and celebrated.