I felt compelled to respond to the pejorative article claiming racism at the XL Capital Bermuda Open. I am a professional American tennis umpire. I am also black. I have worked the XL Bermuda Open for the past six years. I could only shake my head slack-jawed at the allegations written by Matthew Taylor. The first time I worked here I was instantly reminded of the small town college I attended, due to the friendliness of everyone I encountered. People spoke to me even though they didn't know me.

This is my favourite tournament for that reason but also because it is one of the few tournaments where umpires are treated with respect.

I cannot say unequivocally that his mean-spirited article was totally false. I know for a fact that part of it was without merit, that is, the water incident with the black official, with whom I have spoken. At the beginning of the first night session, four umpires were walking down to the court. The security guard asked for our passes which we did not possess. I said, "We're umpires'' and she let us through. Only one other time was I asked for my badge and once again I didn't have it. The guard recognised the navy shirt as our uniform and let me pass. I did not carry my badge for the duration of the tournament, nor was I asked to show it again.

Three of the six years I have worked here my housing family has been off the island. The first two times this happened I hadn't even met them, yet they opened their homes to a complete stranger. This year my billet left the day before the tournament began and is still off the island as I enjoy the luxuries of their beautiful home and swimming pool. One year I stayed at the home of Mrs. Frida Chappell, owner of Coral Beach Club. Does this sound racist to you? I am very disappointed at the unsubstantiated allegations made by Mr.

Taylor. Why didn't he confirm his story with the source, or further try to corroborate what could only be deemed a hatchet job? It reflects poorly on the Coral Beach Club and the tennis tournament as well as the giving nature of the residents of Bermuda.

SANDE FRENCH Warwick Editor's Note: Matthew Taylor did not make the allegations contained in the story in Monday's newspaper. The allegations were made by two sources who requested anonymity because they feared reprisals. The story also contained rebuttals from Coral Beach Club general manager Glenn Shorto to each of the allegations, so to suggest that Matthew Taylor was being "mean-spirited'' is unfair to him as a journalist whose responsibility is to report both sides of the story as he did on Monday and Tuesday and is doing so again today.