inaugural XL Tennis Classic, scheduled for December 6-12 at the Coral Beach & Tennis Club.

McEnroe joins Bryan Shelton, Aaron Krickstein and Grant Connell as players who have already agreed to play in the event, part of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) tour that will feature some of the world's best male players ranked in the top 100.

Tournament organiser Alec Anderson returned to Bermuda yesterday after a week-long trip to the US Open in Flushing Meadows, New York, where he had hoped to sign the majority of players expected to play in the tournament, now less than three months away.

Instead, many of the top-ranked players Anderson hopes to lure to Bermuda are still making up their minds and will not officially decide until early October.

One player -- Henri Leconte of France -- is now considered a doubtful participant. Leconte, who is apparently seeking a lucrative deal to play in the $100,000 tournament, would have been a prime gate attraction for the biggest tennis tournament to hit the island in years.

But Leconte has been known to arrive at some tournaments out of shape and overweight and, although they will not confirm this, may have become too much of a risk for local organisers.

Also, MaliVai Washington, another sure-fire gate-pleaser, is now mulling over an offer to play in a $6 million end-of-season tournament in Germany, which will take place at the same time of the XL Classic.

On a brighter note, however, Washington has not yet given up on the notion of playing in Bermuda. And it looks like Mats Willander, who has vacationed and played tennis here before, likes the country so much he is willing to be part of the tournament.

Other big names expected to decide soon are Paul Annacone, David Wheaton, Jonathan Stark and fast-rising Todd Martin.

The signing of McEnroe should be considered good news for local tennis enthusiasts. Although not as colourful as his brother John, the younger McEnroe has emerged as one of the strongest doubles competitors in the game.

In singles play, he entered the US Open on a high note after defeating Brad Gilbert in the Volvo of Los Angeles tournament before losing in the quarter-finals to Pete Sampras.

At the US Open, however, McEnroe -- a right-hander -- was ousted in the third round by Austria's Thomas Muster but defeated Marcus Ondruska of South Africa and Paul Haarhuis of Holland in earlier rounds.

The native of Manhasset, New York, turned pro in 1988 and has earned over $1.5 million in prize money and achieved his highest singles ranking, 31, in October 1991. He is currently ranked 67th (singles) and third (doubles) in the world.

McEnroe, six foot, 160 pounds, blossomed as a fierce competitor in 1990 and won the London indoor doubles event. A year later he was remembered for his stellar performance at the Australian Open before losing to Boris Becker.

He has won nine doubles titles in his career.

Including his earning at the US Open, McEnroe has now made $369,001 in 1993.

Teaming up with Jonathan Stark, McEnroe won the Coral Springs and Rosmalen doubles titles.

Classic organisers will soon determine whether a seniors exhibition will be part of the tournament. Other big-name, but non-playing tennis stars may be invited to add some spice to the week-long tournament.

PATRICK MENROE -- Valuable addition to XL Tennis Classic.