The top singles seeds in this year's Heineken Open are ready and raring to serve and volley when they hit the tennis courts in the coming days.

Naturally everyone hopes to emerge victorious but what appears more important to most of them is to play well and - surprise, surprise - to have fun.

"I'm really just playing the tournament to keep in shape. Playing tennis is the only real way I do that though I'd like to win and when I go out there I will be playing to win," said Michael Way, the second seed in the Men's A competition.

Scoffing at rumours of his making a comeback, the 36-year-old former Davis Cup representative said he is eagerly anticipating his match against Vidar Lunoe tomorrow. Way should be confident of advancing to the next round in this knockout event as he has beaten Lunoe in both their previous encounters.

John Johnston, the top Men's A seed, fancies his chances in the tournament being held at the National Tennis Stadium. However, once he gives his best he will be satisfied.

"I have been fairly well in the last year and I am feeling quite fit. I'll go out and do my best as I always do and have a good time."

He expects Way to be the biggest obstacle between him and victory and was somewhat surprised to find himself ranked ahead of the former Davis Cup representative whom he described as "a very tough player". Johnston will also be in action tomorrow.

Former top women's player and last year's Ladies' A runner-up, Donna Bradshaw, is also keen to give a creditable account of herself.

"I feel I can be formidable and I'm looking forward to having some fun and playing good tennis. I've been hitting a bit and I plan to take one match at a time. I am playing for the joy of it though I always have high expectations for myself," said the 44-year-old top seed in the Women's A draw.

Still on a high from celebrating a hat-trick in the Bacardi Open in March, she noted that now she is a senior she doesn't train like before but maintains a good tournament record.

The woman who denied Bradshaw the 2001 Heineken Ladies' A title is feeling "some pressure" to repeat her success. In a strong field of contenders, Deborah Cheng is hard-pressed to pick a winner.

"It's the first tournament of the season and we have some good players on the Island. The way I see it, everybody has a good chance. Look at the Ladies' A Singles, there's Laverne Stowe, Barbara Lambert, Donna Bradshaw and myself. I think the four of us all have an equal chance of winning. Sheila Gomez is a good player also. There will be some interesting matches," said the defending champion and second seed.

The 35-year-old is optimistic that her year-round preparation will stand her in good stead when she begins her title defence next Monday. "I'll take one match at a time and we'll see. I am looking forward to it. To get some good matches in. I have been playing steadily so hopefully it will pay off," said Cheng, who won in straight sets last year.

Cheng is also competing in the Ladies Doubles (No. 2 seeds) and Mixed Doubles (No. 1 seeds) with Erika Handricksen and Johnny Moore respectively.