The No.1 world men's singles ranking changes hands for the 69th time today, Monday, 26 July, 1999.

Despite the numerous switches since computer rankings began in 1973, Patrick Rafter has become just the 17th man to be proclaimed the best player on the ATP Tour.

Over the past 52 weeks, Rafter has won five titles (1999 Rosmalen, 1998 US Open, Cincinnati, Toronto and Long Island), reached another final (1999 Rome) and a semifinal (1999 Wimbledon), earning him this prestigious honour for the first time.

"I congratulate Pat on this outstanding achievement," said Tennis Australia President, Geoff Pollard.

"It's a justifiable reward for the hard work and dedication he has shown for many years, which is not only evident in setting and reaching his personal goals, but also in his undying pride in representing his country at Davis Cup."

Rafter's journey to No.1 began long ago, in fact in 1990, when he gained his first ATP Tour points on the satellite and challenger circuit.

After turning pro in 1991, it took just three years for the Queenslander to break into the top 20 (August, 1994), along the way defeating world No.1 Pete Sampras (at 1993 Indianapolis).

But a series of injuries halted his progress, and it wasn't until 1997 that his game kicked into gear again. A gutsy five-set win over Cedric Pioline in the first round of Davis Cup that year has regularly been regarded as the catalyst for Rafter's return of confidence and form.

Prior to the US Open that year, Rafter reached five ATP Tour singles finals, but lost them all. Rafter was still searching for his first title since his breakthrough win at 1994 Manchester.

Then at Flushing Meadows, Rafter, ranked 14, defeated Andre Agassi, Michael Chang and Greg Rusedski to break the string of finals losses and claim his first Grand Slam title.

The stunning victory not only propelled him into the top 10 for the first time, but as high as No.3. By year's end he was the first Aussie since John Newcombe in 1974 to finish a season ranked No.2.

Persistence has certainly paid off for 26-year-old Rafter. Having first claimed the No.2 ranking on 17 November, 1997, he had to wait another 20 months before he took that final step to the summit.

History in the making
Twenty-four years, 11 months and 28 days have passed since Australia had its last and only previous No.1.

Current Davis Cup captain John Newcombe reigned for eight weeks from 3 June to 28 July, 1974, and at that time, was a dual US Open champion like Rafter.

Number one facts
· Australia is one of 10 nations to have a man ranked No.1; with Rafter's rise to No.1, Australia will be one of only three nations to have multiple
No.1s, alongside the USA and Sweden
· Rafter will be the fifth different No.1 so far in 1999, joining Pete Sampras, Carlos Moya, Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Andre Agassi
· Never before have there been five different men ranked No.1 in the same calendar year, however there were three different No.1s in 1996 (Andre Agassi, Thomas Muster, Sampras)
· Rafter's previous career-high ranking was No.2, first achieved on 17 November, 1997; and most recently regained on 7 June, 1999
· At age 26 years, 7 months, Rafter is the fourth-oldest man to be ranked No.1 for the first time, behind Newcombe (30 years, 11 days), Muster (28 years, 4 months) and Ilie Nastase (27 years, 1 month)
· Rafter is the sixth No.1 to have won the US Open title in the 52 weeks prior to their first ascent (alongside Nastase, Newcombe, McEnroe, Wilander  and Agassi)
· Included in Rafter's best 14 tournament results that rank him No.1 are five tournament wins (1999 Rosmalen, 1998 US Open, Cincinnati, Toronto and Long Island)
· Rafter has played against 11 of the 16 men who have been ranked No.1 in the world - Nastase, Newcombe, Connors, Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe being the exceptions
· Rafter had twice been one match victory away from claiming the No.1 ranking earlier this year - Italian Open final (l. to Gustavo Kuerten) and the Wimbledon semifinals (l. to Andre Agassi)