GOVERNMENT has dropped its sponsorship of the XL Bermuda Open tennis tournament much to the dismay of the organisers.The XL Bermuda Open has been going since 1993 and while XL Capital is the main sponsor, Government has helped with the funding.

Government yesterday confirmed it will not be providing any financial sponsorship for next year's tournament.

Tournament boss Alec Anderson said this week: "We haven't really spoken to Government about their position. We just got their letter in the mail (stating that the funding had been dropped). That is unfortunate really — it is too bad."

Admitting that he was shocked when he heard the news, Mr. Anderson said: "It is a real shame. We are not a fly-by-night event — it all takes a lot of time and effort to put it on and make it run smoothly and we certainly do our best. It has been a very big success and it is a pity — I would like to think we have proved our worth. We take a lot of pride in putting the tournament on and we think we have contributed quite a bit to the local community and to tourism and of course tennis. I really don't understand it."

Players such as US Open winner and Wimbledon finalist Andy Roddick, along with fellow Wimbledon finalist MaliVai Washington, have played at the XL Bermuda Open as have American James Blake and monster servers Greg Rusedski and Australia's Mark Philippoussis.

Mr. Anderson said that the tournament, which was won in 2006 by Spaniard Fernando Vicente, has a budget which averages around $900,000 of which XL Capital pays between $300,000 and $350,000.

Government have been chipping in around $50,000 a year.

But that money is so important, said the tournament director who is also no slouch on the courts himself.

"We think it delivers every year. I don't fully understand it, the thinking behind Government dropping out. It is very tough to make the budget money every year. Our budget is quite hefty — it really is a break-even event. We are not in it to make money — we only do it for the love of the game."

He added: "It is a disappointment for me but we are going ahead."

Next year the tournament will be staged from April 16-22.

For more, see Sport, Page 9