Capital Bermuda Open, it has been revealed.

The two-time US Open champion has been the annual Challenger tournament's star attraction in the past two years when he has partnered compatriot Paul Kilderry in the doubles.

But this year the $100,000 Open clashes with a $2.95 million Masters-Series event in Monte Carlo, one of nine tournaments second only in importance to the four Grand Slam showpiece events -- the Australian, French and US Opens and Wimbledon.

The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Tour has demanded that the top 50 ranked players, including Rafter, compete in all Masters-Series events, provided they are fit to play. That would seem to prohibit Rafter from making another star turn at Coral Beach.

And the same requirement could also mean that last year's champion Andrew Ilie might be in Monte Carlo instead of in Bermuda defending his title come April.

Ilie was a big hit with the Bermuda crowd last year, marking each victory with his traditional shirt-ripping celebration.

If Rafter does not make it this year, it may mean that the Australian superstar has already played his last Bermuda Open, as the 28-year-old has said he will probably retire from the ATP Tour at the end of this year.

But tournament director Alec Anderson has not given up hope on Rafter or fellow Australian Ilie. "We have been talking with the defending champion, but the issue will be where he stands in the rankings six weeks before the tournament,'' said Anderson.

"The Tour has a requirement that all the top 50 play in Monte Carlo, as it is a Masters Series event.

"But some of them say they don't want to do it, as they have to play too much tennis already.'' Rafter looks certain to be in the top 50 during the Spring after reaching the semi-finals of the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open, when he went down in five sets to eventual winner Andre Agassi.

He received a prolonged and emotional ovation from a crowd who believed they had seen their hometown hero play his last Grand Slam on home soil.

And Ilie is also likely to be required in Monte Carlo, judging by a superb performance in Melbourne, where he knocked out ninth seed Juan Carlos Ferrero on the way to the fourth round where he too went down to Agassi, in four sets.

Anderson said Rafter's regular XL doubles partner Kilderry had expressed a desire to return this year.

"Paul Kilderry says he wants to come back and play doubles with another Australian -- but we are not able to say yet who that is.

"Officially, we don't have a field to announce until three weeks before the event.

"Normally, we like to talk to one or two name players early -- and we have been talking to one or two people -- but we have nothing to announce yet.'' The tournament opens with qualifying on the weekend of April 14-15 and runs through to April 22.

Pat Rafter: May have played in Bermuda for the last time.