Way for the Heineken Bermuda Open was wrong, Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) president Keith Fisher declared yesterday.

Speaking on his own behalf and not as chief executive of the BLTA, Fisher said the BLTA sub-committee erred by not giving Mallory the top seeding.

The controversy was ignited earlier this week when Mallory, Bermuda's top-ranked player last year and competing for the first time in 1994, was angry when he discovered he would be seeded one notch below Way for the Open.

The event got off to a soggy start yesterday at the Tennis Stadium. Six of the 13 matches were postponed because of rain while one surprise result saw junior phenom Kevin Richards, 12, defeat veteran Phillip Nearon 6-4, 6-1.

The seedings issue has so far cast a long shadow over one of the prominent tournaments on the BLTA calendar.

Fisher also personally apologised to Mallory for the "unintentional slight.'' In a statement was faxed to The Royal Gazette yesterday, Fisher said: "The closeness in ability of Ricky and Michael is such that the incumbent number one locally ranked player, in his first tournament of the year, should have been seeded number one. To do so otherwise is to unintentionally slight him.

This view in no way detracts from the regard I have for Michael's ability, he won the last tournament (All Bermuda), and we'll probably have a great final on our hands.'' On Tuesday, Mallory, the defending Open champion, said he would seriously consider not playing in any tournaments this year as a result of the rankings.

Way, who was living in the US last year, did not play in any BLTA-sanctioned events in 1993.

When contacted at his mother's home yesterday, Mallory said he has yet to change his mind, but appreciated Fisher's statement.

"I haven't given much more thought about that (not playing in any tournaments), but if this way of seeding people keeps going on I can't see that I've got any other choice,'' he said. "People work hard to become number one and when you're seeded number two after working hard all year, well, it's like someone winning a gold medal and then not giving it to them.'' Fisher went out of his way to praise tournament organisers, however, who are at the centre of the seedings storm. He lauded them for attracting 175 entrants, a record for the Open.

"I hope they'll forgive me if I infer criticism on them in this one area.'' His remarks are expected to go a long way in defusing any anger left smouldering over the issue.

Said Mallory: "I'm obviously going into those matches with an attitude, but it took a lot of guts for him (Fisher) to come out like that and I appreciate it. It doesn't make me feel any different (about the seeding) but I'm thankful, being he is president of the BLTA.'' Steve Bean, Mallory's doubles partner and coach, said Fisher should have done more.

"If the decision is not reversed, and it should have been by now, I don't see how his (Fisher's) statement makes a difference.'' Bean's reaction to his partner's seeding was swift and harsh. He also threatened to boycott the Open.

"My initial response was that if they're (BLTA) not prepared to change their mistake, then let's boycott,'' said Bean yesterday. "However, when I thought about it some more I figured a move like that would only play into other people's hands. I don't know if that would be in Ricky's best interests. I think the best move would be to get him in there and to win the tournament and prove to all concerned that he is the number one player.

"He spent so much time preparing for the Heineken and this has just killed his spirits.

"When you go to his mother's house you see all the trophies he has won.

Basically, there is nothing else for him to play for. The number one ranking, well, he plays for that. A lot of the reaction has been, `what's the difference?', but it makes a difference to him. He strives to be number one.'' Bean said he was planning to meet with Mallory last night in an effort to convince the right-hander to continue playing in tournaments this year.

"I can't speak for all of the executive, but I think most would agree with me that Ricky should have been seeded number one,'' Fisher said yesterday when contacted at his office. "And as president I have leeway to say what's on my mind.

"But the last thing I want to see is Ricky not play any more tournaments.

We'll take one step at a time. He's got a lot of incentive with Davis Cup play next year. I'd hate for him to miss that.'' The Harbourfront Winter League prizegiving ceremony and buffet will take place on Saturday, May 21 at the conclusion of the Heineken Bermuda Open finals at 6 p.m. at the Tennis Stadium.

KEITH FISHER -- `I hope they'll forgive me if I infer criticism on them in this one area.'