When Jeff Morrison says his "physical conditioning could improve" it's really an understatement.

The blossoming tennis pro is coming to the 2003 XL Capital Bermuda Open like the walking wounded.

"I had to retire from the Nasdaq Open because I sprained my foot. I had some cramping issues in Australia (early in the year). I had a lingering knee injury from the end of last year and I injured my back two weeks ago.

"So I've had one thing after the other but I'm trying to get healthy for the clay-court season and Europe. I'm hoping for a good run at the XL (Open)," declares the 24-year-old cheerfully despite the litany of his body's breakdowns.

It's not been the brightest start for a player who enjoyed a notable rise on the ATP Tour in 2002, finishing inside the coveted Top 100 in just his second year in the game's premier flight. Yet, Spanish top gun, Juan Carlos Ferrero, would probably be quick to caution anyone not to be fooled by the American's inauspicious beginning to 2003 - and he should know.

Last June, Morrison - a skinny unknown who had just broken into the world's best 100 players - embarrassed the number eight seed at Wimbledon in an awesome, second-round encounter.

There was no better place for the three-set thriller (6-3, 7-5, 7-6) than the Centre Court and, at times when he is dejected, memories of that performance inspire him.

"That Ferrero match is a highlight. I will look back at that as the first great experience of my professional career.

"It was such a big atmosphere and a big deal to be playing on Centre Court in my first Wimbledon and against Ferrero who had just lost in the finals of the French Open. Wimbledon is such a special place, especially anytime you get a chance to set foot on Centre Court.

"I wasn't as worried about Juan Carlos as much I was about playing on Centre Court in front all those people. It was an atmosphere that I wasn't used to. I was more awed by that.

"I knew if I played well and competed hard I would have a good chance to win. I did that and good things happened," said the West Virginia native now residing in Florida.

Morrison's plan is to build on last season's success, including two Challenger titles, and regain a place in the Top 100, if not higher by year-end.

"Maybe inside the top 60 or 50," said the number 109 ranked player of his ultimate target for this year.

If this doesn't materialise though he won't be crushed. He knows things like this take time and he is a relative newcomer. There's still time to emulate the feats of his heroes Stefan Edberg and Pete Sampras - "the epitomes of class acts".

"Obviously everyone wants to win Grand Slams and tournaments but I try to focus on short-term, daily goals - making sure I improve and maintain a good attitude and that I work my hardest every day.

"I focus more on the process rather than the result and I think that takes a lot of pressure off me. Once I am happy with the process, then I think I am doing fine.

"If day in, day out you're focusing on the process and doing things the correct way then - if you have the skills and the talent - the results are going to come," noted the six-foot, one-inch player.

"Things have gone fairly well so far. I have a steady rise and I was inside the Top 100 for most of last year. I'm happy with my progress. As long as I continue on this path and be patient, I think I can achieve good things."

That's a major statement from someone, who as a former collegiate stand-out and NCAA singles champion, found the transition to the pros initially difficult.

"For me the amount of losing you do on the professional tour is unlike anything that you experience as a junior or a college player.

"I went a couple years in college and only lost about ten matches. You lose almost every week on the pro tour. The best players in the world only win five or six tournaments a year.

"Your ability to adapt - to learn how to lose - is probably the hardest thing.

"In my first six months as a professional I struggled greatly. I was dwelling so much on my losses that I got into a rut. I was so down about my results and lost confidence because I wasn't used to losing," confessed Morrison.

"Now I learn from my losses and go back and work on the things that need working on."

Win or lose, he will take a few lessons from Bermuda.