draws in the doubles with American Luke Jensen having to undergo an emergency appendectomy yesterday.

Jensen, who was due to participate alongside brother Murphy, was admitted to the Garden City Clinic on Thursday after the pair had lost a doubles match to Australians Mark Kratzman and Wally Masur at the ATP Tour Doubles Championship in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Meanwhile, organisers of the local tournament were caught unaware when contacted by The Royal Gazette and were last night taking steps to get a grip on the situation.

It was unknown whether replacements would be needed or if brother Murphy could find another partner.

"It's definitely a pity and I hope he's all right,'' said chief organiser Alec Anderson when informed of the news. "These guys are obviously a very exciting doubles team and it's sad that this happened.

"Still we have a strong doubles line-up with the number one team in the world (Grant Connell and Patrick Galbraith).'' Missing though may be some colour, which only the Jensens, dubbed the `rock and roll brothers', can provide.

Ranked fourth in the world, they have been featured in both the Sports Illustrated and Rolling Stone magazines and possess an affinity for the guitar.

The long-haired Luke is the older of the two at 27, while Murphy is 25.

This would be the second forced withdrawal of a big name from the tournament after Australian indoor champion Jaime Yzaga of Peru similarly pulled out due to an ankle injury earlier.

There will be a practice for ball boys and girls involved with the XL Classic at the Government Tennis Stadium tomorrow from 2 to 4 p.m.

There will be a BLTA ATP line umpires training session today at Newstead from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and tomorrow at the Government Tennis Stadium from 10 a.m.

to 2 p.m.

The men's doubles play-offs to decide which other local duo will join Donald Evans and Billy Way as Bermuda's representatives at the XL Tennis Classic next month start today at Coral Beach Club.

At noon, Stuart Smith and Mike Curry play an eliminator against Monty Nearon and Andrew Kennedy.

The winners are back in action tomorrow when a three-team round-robin begins, which also includes Ricky Mallory and Steve Bean, and Michael and Brian Way.

Today's winners face the Ways tomorrow at noon. On Wednesday, Mallory and Bean take on today's winners and then play the Ways on Thursday. Both weekday matches start at 3 p.m.

HALF EMPTY -- Luke Jensen, left, underwent emergency appendectomy in South Africa yesterday and is out of the XL Classic. His brother Murphy's status is now uncertain.