Ashley Brooks, the newly crowned ladies champion of the Argus Open tennis tournament is well on her way to reaching her goal for 2002, to be the Island's number one ladies tennis player.

Despite her youthful years, and lack of national and international experience, the 14-year-old went into the just concluded Argus Open with two things in mind, to win that tournament and the upcoming Southampton Princess event thus taking over as the top ladies singles player.

"I'm almost there. I am playing consistent, hitting well, serving well and most important of all, I've got over my slow starts which always put me under additional pressure trying to fight from behind," she said.

When asked why was it so important that she become number one, Brooks, who is currently attending a Tennis Academy in the United States said: "You must aim for something big.

"I won a Ladies B title last year, a Ladies A title this year and I've represented Bermuda in international competition, all before the age of 16.

"I think that it is a natural progression of wanting to be the best in one's country, even if it turns out to be for only a short while." Brooks readily admits that her quest might be a difficult one with the possibility of Zara DeSilva returning home before the summer is over, and Debbie Chang available.

Brooks thinks that by winning the All Bermuda Tennis Club's Argus Open that she picked up nearly 1,000 points, and with Zara DeSilva, Debbie Chang and Donna Bradshaw out of singles play at the moment, her chances are very good.

Even though Tara Lambert is here and would easily be out for revenge should both enter the Southampton Princess tournament, Brooks feels that with her current game she could defeat her again.

"In the Argus I really didn't know how she played because I had not really watched her in action," she said. "Plus it was a final so no matter how well she played, in order for me to win I would have to play better."

Because she likes tough matches with opponents hitting solid strokes, she feels that her chances of advancing up the ladder this year is a real objective to aim for.

"Against Tara I was just a bit more consistent, and that is what I aim to be during the Southampton Princess Open," she said. "If I want to be number one, I have to be consistent no matter who I play against and with only one tournament win to get to the top, I intend to be ready for all challengers."