next April -- but just about everyone agrees that the big winner will be the Island itself.

Yesterday's confirmation that the International Tennis Federation had awarded the American Zone matches for division three and four to Bermuda was met with smiles from the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association, the Department of Tourism and the Southampton Princess hotel.

All three will be featured players in the tournament, running from April 27 through May 3 and involving ten other nations.

"This is an enormous opportunity for Bermuda to host this calibre of tennis,'' said BLTA president David Lambert shortly after emerging from talks with Thomas Hallberg, the director of Davis Cup competition for the ITF, along with tourism and hotel representatives.

The announcement was the culmination of a year's work by the BLTA, who first joined Davis Cup competition in 1995 and applied for last year's American Zone matches but were passed over in favour of El Salvador. This year, the only competition came from Bolivia.

This persistence indicated to the ITF that Bermuda was "very keen'' on improving their tennis standing, said Hallberg, who arrived only two hours earlier from Sao Paulo, Brazil, where he was overseeing the semi-final tie between Austria and Brazil.

"I'm confident they will do a good job. They appear to have good support (from the government and the hotel).'' Hallberg added that Bermuda's facilities -- all matches will take place at the Princess, which will also host players and officials -- atmosphere and experience in staging world-class events left the ITF with an easy decision.

Meetings will be held over the next couple of days to discuss logistics and some "minor points,'' said Lambert.

The overall price tag is expected to be in the area of $100,000 -- but the ITF will pick up the tab for all travel and accommodation, said Hallberg. As well, the ITF will supply the tournament referee and three chair umpires.

The remainder will be in the BLTA's hands -- although the Department of Tourism will play a major role.

"We're definitely supportive although it's a little early to say what exactly our involvement will be,'' said manager of sports promotions Wayne Smith.

Lambert's next task will be co-ordinating "an army of volunteers.'' Thomas Hallberg