Bermuda passed its first big tennis test with flying colours.

With results of the inaugural XL Classic still being chiselled into the record books following the week-long tournament, ATP Tournament Director Weller Evans departed from the Island thoroughly impressed by what he saw.

"I think everyone was very well prepared,'' Evans said. "In fact, we go to many events on the tour and while I'd hate to admit it, some of these have been in existance for many years and we find the same mistakes being made over and over again.

"Here is a first-year event and everyone was on top of most of the logistical things that needed to be taken care of. And I think that's due in large part to Alec's (Anderson) familiarity with tennis. And the fact that he kept in close communication with the ATP staff.'' Anderson, the XL Tennis Classic's Tournament Director and the individual most responsible for bringing the tour to Bermuda, will now have to make some key decisions about next year's tournament.

The most critical ones obviously surround economic matters and while the semifinals and finals of doubles and singles play attracted huge crowds, much of the mid-week play was watched by relatively few people.

There is already talk of more night matches next time around.

A decision will also be made regarding a possible switch of the tournament to spring-time in an attempt to avoid the poor weather which plagued weekend play.

Based, however, on what Anderson had to say following the tournament ("we hope to see you same time next year'') it looks a certainty that there will be another December date for 1994.

"That's the way we're headed,'' Anderson confided yesterday. "There are opportunities to do something in April, but I think that would be too soon.

But maybe for 1995.'' Anderson got to see few of the 68 matches (including qualifying) during the nine days of the tournament, and hinted few changes will be made for next year's Classic.

"We've got a good thing going,'' he said. "We may do a couple of things differently, but they're mostly small things.

"As far as the player field in concerned we may choose a couple of guys who are better on clay and we'd like a few more maintenance staff so we can handle things like bad weather better.'' A large portion of the players left Bermuda with good impressions of the Island and many of them are prepared to come back again next year, including singles champ Mikael Pernfors, one of the few top seeds who survived the early rounds of the event.

"Everything was perfect except for the weather the last couple of days,'' Pernfors said moments after defeating Ctsilav Dosedel 6-4, 6-3 to capture the title. "I had a great time and I really enjoyed it. Hopefully you can keep the tournament going and maybe even get a bigger one. I'm looking forward to coming back.'' Added Weller: "As far as the player field is concerned I can only see it improving as the years go on. That's because the players will get out amongst each other and with word of mouth popularity will spread and more players will be interested in coming here.

"They (players) certainly liked the relaxed atmosphere of the event. They've enjoyed the ambience of the Island. A lot of the guys rented scooters and some of them went snorkelling and a lot of them played golf, so they enjoyed the extra-curricular activities the country had too offer.

"But the thing that stands out in my mind and I think in most of the players' minds has been the warm hospitality of the people.'' Franco Davin, the feisty Argentinian who reached the singles semifinals echoed the sentiments of many of the players who participated. "It was a very nice tournament. The people have been very good.'' Brian Devening, one of four players to qualify for the tournament, added: "It's pretty easy to play here because it's so nice.'' Clearly, however, it was the line umpires and ballgirls and boys who were the unsing heroes of the tournament.

"We couldn't have done it without them,'' said Anderson. "It's not just the players that make this thing go.'' The finals will be televised tomorrow (Channel 35 at 8 p.m. and 12.30 a.m.) as part of Prime Network's international coverage.

"We've offered the world an opportunity to see great tennis in Bermuda and to see an environment which offers an excellent setting and venue for tournament tennis,'' said the Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan on Sunday. "I want to complement all those persons who've been involved in the organisation of it.

This sets a good example of what can happen in Bermuda.'' DOUBLE THE FUN -- Jared Palmer (left) and Mark Knowles won the doubles crown after stopping fan favourites Maurice Ruah and Nicolas Pereira in straight sets.