No, not next weekend's Davis Cup tie with the United States. More the sudden fame and media crush that goes with winning the US Open.

"That's not the fun part about it,'' Rafter said after being intercepted by a gaggle of local media as he arrived at Bermuda Airport yesterday.

Two days after beating Britain's Greg Rusedski in the final of the $11.82 million tournament in Flushing Meadows, Rafter is still trying to come to grips with celebrity. Media interviews all day Monday, David Letterman that night. Now -- hopefully -- three days of relaxation at his Pembroke condominium before heading to Washington DC on Friday and back to business.

Asked if his life will change now, he said: "It better not. I hope not.'' One person who doesn't think it will is Kevin Petty, who, along with his wife Lexi and a host of other Bermuda friends took in the final from the player's box at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

"He's very down to earth,'' said Petty yesterday. "He'll handle it great.'' Or, as Rafter told a reporter from Reuters on Monday: "I'll still be the same sack of crap I am.'' Petty described the New York media attention as "overwhelming'' and said one of Rafter's concerns before flying out yesterday was if there would be more awaiting him in Bermuda. There was, of course, although Rafter handled it with grace.

"It hasn't really sunk in yet,'' he said after becoming the first US Open men's singles winner from Australia since John Newcombe in 1973. "I haven't really had the time to stop and think about it.'' The media isn't entirely to blame for that; he's still chuckling over the celebration party on Sunday night with his two brothers, Australian coaches Tony Roche and John Newcombe, plus, of course, his Bermuda comrades who flew out to watch him; people such as Hugh Barrit and Stuart Smith.

But, like it or not, things are bound to change. With his youthful (he'll be 25 in December), good looks and personna, he will undoubtedly attract more endorsements, women and airport autograph-seekers.

And there's no chance of any player looking past him, as might have happened earlier this year.

This is, after all, a player who had started the past two years ranked in the 60s. Even after reaching the French Open semi-finals and beginning the US Open seeded 13th, he wasn't given a realistic chance. But he dropped only two sets in New York, and, after Pete Sampras was upset by Peter Korda, went out and beat Michael Chang in straight sets in the semi-finals.

Now, in the span of a few months, the 6-foot-1 righthander has doubled his career earnings and jumped from 14th in the world to number three.

"At the beginning of the year, I said top 30,'' Rafter said yesterday. "Then I said top 15. I guess the only place to go now is number one.'' Of course, that spot is currently occupied by Sampras and Rafter isn't as confident about knocking him off his perch as he is about taking over number two from Chang.

"Pete's definitely the top player in the world,'' Rafter said.

He'll get his chance nonetheless beginning next Friday, when he and Mark Phillippoussis lead the Australian Davis Cup team against the Americans.

Chang, Jim Courier and Alex O'Brien are expected to join Sampras and Rafter concedes the Australians will have a tough time. But at least they show up.

"We have a proud tradition,'' he told Associated Press on Monday, taking a swipe at the Americans' tendency to skip Davis Cup. "Whenever I get a call to represent my country, I'm there. It's a shame the other guys don't feel the same way. There's nothing better than winning for your country ... To win the US Open is pretty bloody good, though.'' Two days later, he'll be in Munich, Germany, for the world's richest tournament, the Grand Slam Cup.

"Relief,'' is how Rafter yesterday described his emotions following the win over Rusedski.

And relief is what he'll be looking for over the next couple of days.

"I think Bermuda's a great place for him,'' said Petty.

Logistically, Petty said, Rafter "is as close to Australia as he wants to be.'' And, he didn't have to add, as close to the media as well.