The XL Capital Bermuda Open could return to the ATP Tour schedule - and maybe even by next year.

Just days after curtains closed on the 2002 tennis tournament held annually at Coral Beach Club, some leading officials have indicated the Challenger event could be upgraded if all the necessary factors can be put in place.

"Certainly it is a serious consideration," replied tournament director Alec Anderson when asked if they were contemplating full ATP status for the competition which attracts international stars in men's tennis.

"We'll look at all the factors and explore them over the next two or three months. Usually some big schedule decisions are taken at Wimbledon, so between now and then is when we would try to decide. I am pretty confident we could find the money and that we can get the ATP Tour to agree. I am just not sure what dates would be agreeable to everybody concerned.

"XL (Capital) sounds to me like they want to do it. We must also ensure it's good for Coral Beach. We've got to really get everybody on board."

If successful, this would see the XL Open back on the Tour for the first time since its third edition in 1996. That was the second of two consecutive years it was on the ATP schedule. On the other seven occasions it has been a Challenger.

Both Anderson and Brian O'Hara - CEO of the tournament's title sponsor, XL Capital - stressed the complexity involved in securing ATP Tour billing.

"We need to consider when the event could feasibly take place on the ATP calendar, if Coral Beach could still serve as the tournament host and whether the necessary funds could be put forward to execute the event accordingly," noted O'Hara.

Anderson acknowledged that, if all went well, "it's possible" the tournament could return to the ATP Tour by 2003. He noted that in "spending an extra $300,000 or $400,000" to upgrade the Open, it would be vital to ensure it's a worthwhile investment.

While also very supportive of this move, Coral Beach owner George Wardman stated he would wish the Open to continue being held in April.

"I don't think it's realistic to think of the tournament spilling over into May. That's one of our (Coral Beach's) busiest months of the year. How that works into the ATP Tour I don't know. It has been suggested that we follow Houston (a Challenger) but that's getting very close to May," he said.

Wardman suggested that an upgraded XL Open could become an alternative to Houston, "if we have enough money to do that".

If the ATP Tour prospect does not materialise, O'Hara underlined his company's commitment to making the Open "a Challenger event that players will want to play in" and one that "features the best up and coming" names in men's tennis.

Reflecting on this year's Open which concluded last Sunday, all three men expressed delight in its smooth operation.

"I was very pleased with how the tournament turned out in all respects. The volunteers and all the tournament staff were tremendous. Everybody worked hard and efficiently. They seem to get better at the job each year.

"We had very interesting tennis - some incredible matches. It was a very competitive tournament and we couldn't ask for more," said Anderson.

Once again, observed O'Hara, the tournament had brought some of the "world's best up and coming tennis talent" to Bermuda and provided "a quality spectator event" while giving the Island "global television exposure".

"I've enjoyed working with Alec and Brian. It's a great partnership and we get lots of cooperation from various sectors," noted Wardman.

One issue officials cited would have to be examined in future planning was to ensure the Open's weekend finale did not clash with other significant events locally or in international tennis.

`We will try to do a different date so we don't clash with Monte Carlo (tennis) or the Agricultural Exhibition.

"We had pretty good attendance on Sunday and in the evenings but I think we would have had more people if we didn't clash with other events," said Anderson.

Those who missed - or even those who want to re-live - the Open will get a chance to do so soon.

Delayed television coverage of final stages of the tournament, held here last week at Coral Beach Club, will be shown on ESPN's Latin American broadcast tomorrow at 8 p.m. (Bermuda time) and Monday at 11 a.m.