been withdrawn from both the singles `A' and doubles of the Pomander Gate Open because of inflexibility.

It is the second time in a month that a tennis tournament has begun in controversy, as in May the Heinken Bermuda Open began with Ricky Mallory claiming he was unfairly treated when Brian Way was seeded number one ahead of him in the men's singles.

Now Furbert has called on tennis' governing body, the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association, to probe the way tournaments are being run on the island.

Furbert says he has already spoken to BLTA president Keith Fisher who told him there is nothing he can do about it.

"I want the BLTA, who sanction this tournament, to take a responsibility to see that these tournaments are run in the terms of the USTA rules that we are all governed by,'' said Furbert yesterday.

"This is an open tournament, not a club tournament, and you have people from all clubs down there.

"There are still a lot of erroneous decisions being made in tennis based on who you are and what you represent in Bermuda. At club level they don't always follow those rules and this is what has happened in this case.'' Furbert said he was contacted by Pomander Gate president David Pickering on Monday to be told he was being withdrawn from both the singles and doubles because of inflexibility over the times he was able to play.

Furbert said he offered to withdraw from the singles but, because of his obligation to his doubles partner, Gary Weller, wanted to remain in that division.

"There is no way I shouldn't be playing in that tournament simply because they couldn't work with my schedule,'' Furbert insists. "I was being flexible by withdrawing from the singles.'' Furbert said he spoke to two Europeans who told him they were called and given the opportunity to become more flexible in terms of their schedule.

However, because of their hotel work, they were forced to withdraw. He said he was never offered to try to become more flexible.

"I've been playing in this tournament for 10 years perhaps. I think the BLTA has to take a whole different look into these club tournaments. They're not going by the rules but by an individual's own idiosyncrasies. This is what has happened.

"I told them I wasn't able to play after 6 p.m. but I could have played all day up to 5 p.m. I don't hang around in these tournaments too long anyway, the first or second round and then I'm gone.'' Furbert, who has acted as umpire in the last two finals at Pomander Gate, says he will not be available to officiate during the latter stages of the tournament.

"It leaves a sour taste in my mouth,'' he admits. "I can't do that now based on what has happened unjustly to me.'' Fisher said he sympathised with both Pomander Gate, for the tight schedule there are facing because of a record entry of 230 participants, and Furbert for being one of the players to be rejected.

"It's outside of the BLTA's jurisdiction to tell Pomander Gate exactly who they should allow into their tournaments if those people who want to play have time constraints,'' said Fisher.

Fisher pointed out that Pomander Gate is being forced to borrow courts at Police Club to accommodate the record number of entries. The increased interest, he admits, is good for the game.

"It's an unusual and remarkable situation that the BLTA is very happy about,'' said Fisher.

"We've been working and continue to work to increase tennis interest and the PG tournament is a good example of how much people are getting into tennis now.

"I'm delighted that the community is getting into their tennis, but it may be difficult for David to see the balance when he's been sacrificed.

"I don't believe Mr Furbert is the only person to be told `I'm sorry but we can't accept your entry'.''