yesterday accused his great rival Pete Sampras of lacking respect for fellow players.

Rafter went to the top of the ATP Tour rankings on Monday, becoming the first Australian to reach the position since John Newcombe in 1974, but will lose it again if Sampras reaches the final of this week's Mercedes-Benz Cup in Los Angeles.

Rafter has never been a big fan of Sampras, and said he disiked the American's often flippant comments about other players and he enjoyed annoying the Wimbledon champion.

It was the latest verbal offensive in what has become a war of words between the two.

Last year, after being beaten by the 26-year-old Australian in Cincinnati, Sampras was asked what the difference was between him and Rafter. "Ten Grand Slams,'' he replied abruptly.

The Australian has won the US Open for the past two years and Sampras has been quoted as saying it upset him to see Rafter holding the trophy.

"He says some funny things at the wrong time,'' Rafter said yesterday before working out at the Olympic Club. "Sometimes we're busting our guts and he doesn't give respect to others.'' Rafter said he did not use Sampras' attitude as a spur to reach the top.

"No, that's something I've always wanted to do, but it's nice to beat Pete whether on court or in the rankings,'' Rafter said.

"I get an incredible amount of enjoyment from getting on top of him and pretty much just annoying him.'' But Rafter acknowledges that Sampras, who won his 12th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon last month, is "in a different league.'' "We really can't compare each other and I'm the first to respect that,'' Rafter said. "I think it just gives him a bit more fuel coming into this hardcourt summer.'' Rafter faces a tough job to hold onto the number one ranking. If Sampras misses his chance this week, Rafter will still need to emulate last year's brilliant run to the US title to protect the points he has on the line.

Last year he won at Toronto, Cincinnati and Long Island before the US Open.

Rafter became the 17th player to hold the number one spot since ATP rankings started in 1973 and said he thought he could handle the pressure.

"I don't fear the pressure. People want to beat you if you are number two or number one in the world,'' Rafter said. "I'm just bloody happy to be there.

It's something that will mean a lot more down the line. When I finish my career it will be a lot more exciting.'' Rafter's busy schedule includes the semi-finals of the Davis Cup against Russia in Australia in September.

He said his prospects of winning a first Australian Open title would be boosted if Australia makes it through to the Davis Cup final in December.

"I play my best tennis after a lot of matches but there are never many tournaments before the (Australian) Open,'' said Rafter.