World Squash Champion and Bermuda resident David Palmer has thrown his full weight behind the upcoming Bermuda Open, calling it "one of the most exciting events to hit the World Tour in years".

The Australian, who divides his time between training bases in Bermuda and Belgium, is currently in Pakistan, about to defend his World Open title in Lahore.

The world number three was one of the first top players to enter the $55,000 Bermuda Open, which takes place in March, and says that he is more than confident that it is going to be a "huge success."

"I'm so glad that the tournament is going ahead," he said.

"Ross (Triffitt, Bermuda's director of squash) and his team of guys have worked hard for this and as a player it is very nice to see such a massive new tournament appear on the calendar."

"The prize money for a tournament in it's first year is extraordinary, and makes it one of the biggest tournaments in the world," he continued.

"Most tournaments start off around the $10,000 mark but the Bermuda Open has moved straight in their with the big boys. That in itself is a tremendous achievement and I know that, if fit, the top ten players in the world will be there without question.

"The squash community in Bermuda is very knowledgeable and passionate about the game and with all the people that will be coming in from overseas to watch, I am convinced it is going to be a very special event."

Triffitt said yesterday that he was thrilled to have received such a ringing endorsement from the World Champion.

"To have a player of his calibre, who has played in hundreds of professional tournaments all over the world, come out and be so positive is obviously a tremendous boost for us, and for Bermuda in general," he said.

"It makes us even more determined to ensure that this tournament will be one of the most successful, high-profile events in the Island's sporting history."

Meanwhile, Palmer's preparation for his defence of the World title has, by his own admission, been far from ideal, the player having been plagued with injury for the last few months.

Since the World Team Championships in Vienna this past October, he has suffered a trapped nerve in his back, a cracked rib ? sustained in a training accident on court ? and a strained abductor muscle in his right leg.

Last week, playing essentially on one leg, he fought his way through to the quarter-finals of the Qatar Classic in Doha before losing narrowly to England's budding star, Nick Mathew.

And although determined to give it his best shot, he remains realistic about his chances of remaining World Champion.

"I'm not going to put too much pressure on myself to defend the the World Title," he said.

"I've had a lot of injuries this year, starting in Bermuda obviously with my appendix, so I should not expect too much. I think that is the way I'm going to have to approach the tournament this time round.

"I really should not be playing, but you can be damned if you think I'm going to give away my World Title that easily. I've played enough tournaments in the last few months to know that I'm hitting the ball well and I'm just hoping my body will allow me to play at my best."