Jenson Bascome and Ashley Brooks have emerged as the top singles players in the recently-released Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) 2002 rankings.

Brooks, who is studying overseas, played two tournaments during summer (a win and a runner-up) while Bascome returned to the Island in May after graduating from university and won the Colonial Open and Argus Open.

In the Ladies' Singles, Deborah Cheng (a win and a semi-final) and Zarah DeSilva hold down the number two and number three spots while last year's top seed, Donna Bradshaw, drops to number six due to inactivity in the season's latter stages.

Cheng may reflect on her inability to convert a match-point against Brooks at the Colonial Open semi-final in June which ultimately separated the two, both of whom only competed in two events. De Silva's points all came from her sole victory in the Colonial Open.

Meanwhile, Donald Evans is seeded second in the Men's Singles (Grand Prix winner and Argus runner-up) and former number one Michael Way is now at five on the strength of his Heineken victory. John Johnston, a model of consistency throughout the year, is number three.

The big story is the significant leap made by juniors Kris Frick and Romar Douglas (ranked 12 and 13 respectively). Both could vie for top 10 positions next year.

“There are some good prospects among the younger players. The potential is there in both the women and men - Ashley, Zarah, Kris and a few others - but there is not enough of them coming through.

“If you take them out, there's still some concern about the ages of our top seeds. Most are either in their late 30s or even in their 40s. The top half of our seedings should be younger people, I would think.

“In tennis worldwide players peak in their mid-20s. By the time you're 30 it's time to start thinking of retirement,” noted BLTA rankings administrator Johnny Moore, reiterating a point made earlier this season about the dearth of young players having an impact on the tennis scene.

Players were able to earn ranking points in four singles events and three doubles events this year. The Grand Prix - held last month at Whaler Inn - only affected Open Singles and Doubles rankings. Other rankings have not changed since July.

Veterans Laverne Stowe and Barbara Lambert lead the ranking in Ladies' Doubles ahead of Wendy Gelhay, Ashley Brooks, Deborah Cheng and Zarah De Silva. In Men's Doubles, Ricky Mallory and Jenson Bascome lock down the top spots just ahead of Stuart Smith.

Among the seniors, Earl Leader and Donna Bradshaw head the men's and ladies' respectively.