Bermuda's top tennis player James Collieson has issued an impassioned plea for help to continue in his quest to represent Bermuda on the ATP Tour.

The 23-year-old number one Davis Cup player said he was down to virtually his last dollar and needed financial help from sponsors if he was to continue his efforts to join the paid ranks of tennis.

And he has requested organisers of Bermuda's annual pro tennis tournament, the XL Capital Bermuda Open, to give him a wild card entry into this year's main draw.

Then win or lose, Collieson would earn his first ATP points, gain a world ranking and be entitled to entry into the qualifying rounds of further tournaments.

Collieson, a student and collegiate tennis player at the University of North Carolina, toured Europe last summer at his own expense and played in the qualifying rounds of several Satellite Tour events.

Later in the year he gained more high-level experience by playing in USTA events in Florida and he achieved some impressive results. But if financial support is not forthcoming, he fears his tennis career may now be coming to a dead end.

"I'll be playing at school and I'll try to play as many tournaments as possible, but it's expensive. I've got $13 in my bank account right now,'' he said, laughing. "I'm looking for sponsors, but it's an individual thing and it's very political, as to why I should get support instead of someone else.

"But as far as I know, I'm the only one in Bermuda who wants to do this, and not to be cocky about it, I'm the only one who can give it a realistic shot.

"I know it might not seem like much of an investment for a company, spending tens of thousands of dollars and not getting much in return. But I would represent myself and Bermuda well. I would wear sponsorship badges or go to functions or do whatever was necessary.

"With CD&P and Elliot Hubbard and the sponsorship money Chris Wallington has raised for racing 250cc bikes, it's clear that there is money out there for sport, so I will keep trying.'' Collieson pleads for wild card From Page 21 Looking forward to the year ahead, Collieson relished the thought of taking on high-class players when he represents the Island in the Davis Cup.

"I'm looking forward to the Davis Cup in Cuba in March. Jamaica are in our group and a couple of their players have pretty high world rankings, so there should be a high level of competition there.

"Then in April, there's the XL Open. And I think they have the power to put me in the main draw. It's all well and good playing in the qualifying rounds, but if you're in the main draw, you pick up points, win or lose and that would help me later on.

"I know a couple of players in New Zealand, 18- or 19-year-olds. No-one expects them to win, but they still get put in the main draw of ATP events over there.

"The difference between playing qualifying players and main-draw players is hairline, so I wouldn't disgrace myself, I'm sure.'' Collieson said he had contacted tournament director Alec Anderson and made the request, but added that he was not sure whether organisers were empowered to give him a main-draw berth.

"If I won in the first round, that would be nine ATP points and that would guarantee me a place in tournaments for a year.

"Unless you are phenomenally talented, you need help. And I come from a small island and don't have the same opportunites as young players in bigger countries. But the opportunities are there and I want to start taking them.'' Collieson felt frustrated by lack of tournament play and felt that was the only way he could ever realise his full potential.

"Right now, it feels like I've got no goals and sometimes I think, `why do all this running around?' "I don't even know how good I am right now, I need to be playing matches in good tournaments. I feel like I'm still getting better, not in leaps and bounds maybe, but it's still progress.

"I finish school in May, I'm still relatively young and don't want to be crunching numbers in Hamilton just yet. I'm prepared to make the sacrifices to succeed in tennis.''