shape than any other tournament of his career, yesterday was sharply disappointed to learn that he was seeded second in the event behind Michael Way.

Mallory, the number one player in Bermuda last year and competing for his first title since returning to the island three weeks ago, was so upset that he hinted the Heineken could be his last tournament this year.

The top seedings for the tournament, which commences today at the Tennis Stadium with 13 matches scheduled (see page 28), was released yesterday after being drawn up late on Monday.

"Are you serious?'' an incredulous Mallory asked when told that Way, winner of men's A singles crown during the recent All Bermuda Club's Open International tournament, was seeded number one.

"I don't feel that's right. I guess I'll just have to go out and do what I have to do.

"He (Way) didn't play in a tournament last year and I was number one,'' the soft-spoken Mallory continued. "It would be like telling Pete Sampras that he's number two going into (a tournament) right now.'' Later he added: "They've done this to me before, I guess I'll just have to prove everybody wrong. But if I do win I just can't see myself playing in any other tournaments this year.'' Mallory, the defending Heineken champion, does intend to put the issue behind him as he dedicates the tournament to his mother Evelyn, who is now on the mend after suffering a minor heart attack.

His mother's illness forced Mallory to return home from school in Philadelphia a few weeks earlier than planned, where he is studying computer drafting at the Pennsylvania Institute of Technology.

The talented righthander has been busy training since arriving in Bermuda, mostly with doubles partner Steve Bean (the pair are ranked number one for the Heineken) and yesterday afternoon he practiced with Reefs pro David Lambert.

"We (he and Bean) won the pairs at Turtle Hill last weekend,'' said Mallory, sounding more upbeat. "I've never trained this way for a tournament before. I hope it doesn't backfire.'' Although suiting up for First Division Vasco during most of the season and helping the team to the FA Cup championship, Mallory said he felt sluggish at the end of the soccer season and was determined to get back into shape.

"I missed a few matches for Vasco,'' he said. "And there's a big difference between playing, which I did, and training, which I didn't.'' The 28-year-old enjoyed one of his brightest tennis seasons in 1993, all the more reason why he was stunned by the Heineken news.

If he decides to carry out his threat to abandon tournament play this year it will rob him of the opportunity to win the Pomander Gate tournament (June 15 to 26) for a fifth straight time.

"I told the Heineken committee they could have either Michael or Ricky one or two,'' Mike Curry told The Royal Gazette yesterday. Curry is an executive committee member of the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association and looks after rankings.

"So it was a decision made by the committee and I don't see how being one or two really matters.'' When questioned about the seedings on Monday, Way said he was not concerned about it.

Mallory will also team up with his sister Allison Towlson in mixed doubles, where they will be ranked second behind another brother and sister pair, Jerome and Donna Bradshaw.

"I feel great,'' Mallory said later. "I've been training hard and eating right. I've been eating just fish and chicken, no red meat.'' It remains to be seen whether he will be able swallow this latest slight.

"I'll just play each game as it comes,'' he says.

Other top seeds for the tournament, which features 175 entrants (an increase of 40 from last year), are Hugh Barit (men's B singles), Bradshaw (women's A singles), Sheena Smith (women's B singles), Gill Butterfield and Bradshaw (women's doubles), Earl Leader (men's senior singles), David Furbert and Earl Leader (men's senior doubles) and Denise Kyme and Wendy Salvia (women's senior doubles).

RICKY MALLORY -- Not happy about being seeded second behind Michael Way in the Bermuda Open.