"I COULDN'T even begin to count up the number of titles these guys have won," said Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association president David Lambert while watching Roy Emerson, MaliVai Washington, John Lloyd, Mikael Pernfors and Ross Case give a series of clinics to corporate guests on the courts of Elbow Beach this week.

Just for starters, there is Australian Emerson whose record of 12 singles Grand Slam titles Pete Sampras broke. But as XL Capital Bermuda Open tournament director Alec Anderson said: "Sampras may have broken Roy's singles titles record but nobody will ever break the total Grand Slam titles Roy has - 28. That number will stand for ever."

Then there is fellow Aussie Ross Case who also won Wimbledon and Mikael Pernfors and MaliVai Washington who, among their other titles, are both former champions of the XL Capital Bermuda Open. In fact, Pernfors won the first XL Capital title. Emerson is the chief man of the Legends clinics.

"He is one of the most organised fellows I know," said Lambert, watching as the Australian shouted out tips and encouragement to the amateur players who were matched up with the other pros for a game of doubles.

The public will get a chance to watch the Legends in action as well. Last night Pernfors played former US Open champion and part-time Bermuda resident Pat Rafter in an exhibition match at Coral Beach and on Sunday before the final, Washington, Pernfors, Lloyd and Case will play in a doubles exhibition.

And besides giving the corporate guests clinics the pros also gave some instruction to some of Bermuda's top juniors this week.

Anderson said: "This event is an important asset to the community. Local youth get access to some of the world's top professional players at the junior clinics. Complimentary tickets are offered to all the schools for day matches and over 1,000 local students attend and take advantage of the opportunity to view high-level competition up close and in person.

"There is a substantial benefit to tourism as well. Over 700 room nights in local hotels have been sold and a two-hour worldwide broadcast of the singles finals is shown on ESPN International and other US television networks."