As an increasingly impressive roster of players sign up for what is being described as the latest "hot'' location on the international tennis circuit, local tennis enthusiasts are also honing their skills.

Around 60 local line umpires will be required for the event, and so far, just over half that number are presently attending the training sessions.

The Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA), which is organising the training sessions, is now appealing for more volunteers.

Says BLTA executive Mr. Alan Simmons: "We really need more people, because this is a big event. But we need people who are committed to attending all the training sessions as line umpiring is quite an involved job. It's no use turning up on the day and expecting to be an umpire. The rules are constantly being updated and it's very important that Bermuda does a good job on this -- especially as the tournament is being televised for the sports cable channels in the States and also in Europe.'' Fortunately, Bermuda has been able to draw on the talents of quite a few Bermudians who are able to pass their umpiring skills on to the next generation.

Bermuda tennis veteran Mr. Billy Way, one of the Classic organisers, is understandably thrilled that his own son, Billy Jr. has secured a spot in the competition.

"We have been training line umpires and ball boys and girls for the last year or so and now the pace is accelerating with lectures, films and practical sessions,'' he says.

Most of the people who have turned up for the sessions are, he points out, familiar with the rules, so it is mainly a question of brushing up on new directives. As the game has become more and more professional-oriented, these rules have been considerably strengthened.

"I remember the last time we were all involved in line umpiring here in Bermuda, back in the '70s when Jimmy Connors came here to play at the Princess. He was quite crude in those days, making obscene motions with his racquet, and gestures, and so on. He wasn't the darling of the courts in those days, like he is now. A lot of them, like John McEnroe, could give the line umpires a hard time.'' Since those days, a point penalty system has been introduced. This means that anyone who starts arguing with decisions, or is seen to be behaving badly, gets a warning. Then they lose a point. And the third time, they forfeit the game. The fourth infraction means that a player is out of the contest. This means, says Mr. Way, that umpires will not have to face the sort of abuse that they may have suffered in the past.

A Bermudian line umpire who will be bringing his expertise to the XL Classic is US-certified Mr. Colin Selley. Or, as the former Director of Tourism puts it, "the old war horse will be helping out.'' Explaining that he had not umpired for about 10 years, Mr. Selley says that it was important, even for him, to attend the training sessions: "They have a new warning system now and the chair umpire can now override a decision if he doesn't agree, so there is always something new to learn.'' Mr. Selley got his start in umpiring through Fred Stolle, who used to play in the Coral Beach Opens every year.

"He suggested I go to the US as the big tournaments were always looking for umpires.'' So off he went in 1963, and for the next seven or eight years, having obtained stadium umpire status, he officiated at many of the biggest games.

"In those days, you just stood on a coca-cola box, on grass courts and there were no tie-breakers, so some games went on for hours,'' he recalls.

Mr. Selley encouraged the Department of Tourism to stage tournaments here and in l983, he ran the Stevens Cup, a `seniors' Davis Cup.

"Prior to that, we had the ATP tournament, second circuit, the Department underwrote for several years.'' Over the years, he umpired most of the biggest names in tennis, singling out Bjorg and Laver and Rosewall as perhaps the best-known stars.

"Then we also had the Kramer pro-tours. I umpired a match between Connors and Nastase. They were friends, and as it wasn't a national championship, they indulged in quite a bit of fooling around. Connors hit a cross ball, which I called out. Connors said it was almost out and then it got to an argument, with Nastase saying, `no, it was almost in.' Connors got ready to serve the next ball, bounced it and said, `score, please.' So I said, `the score would appear to be almost deuce.'' Director of the XL Classic is Alec Anderson, who played for the University of Virginia and represented Bermuda in the 1988 Olympics. It was at the pre-Olympic qualifying tournament in Mexico that he first met many of the players who are coming to Bermuda for the tournament. This has set him in good stead, as it has been his responsibility to procure as many names as possible.

"I'm very pleased with the names we've got signed up, so far,'' he says, "when you're going after marquee names you have to talk to the players, and the agents. In effect, you have to sell the Island to them.'' The roster of players booked so far suggests that Mr. Anderson and his committee have been doing a good job. A special stadium is to be erected on Courts One and Three to accommodate spectators, and the tournament is already listed for 1994.

"We're hoping it will be an annual event, with even bigger names flying in.

This is fantastic exposure for Bermuda,'' says Mr. Anderson.

The Tennis Classic has attracted a stellar array of names. So far, these include Jaime Yzaga, Paul Annacone, Patrick McEnroe, Aaron Krickstein, Bryan Shelton, David Wheaton, Grant Connell and Luke and Murphy Jensen, the popular American `rock 'n roll' brothers who won the French Open.

"One of the nice things about this tournament,'' says Billy Way, "is that the qualifiers usually have to find their own room and board. But I'm pleased to say that we've managed to find home for the 32 qualifiers. This will give the event that Bermuda touch.'' Men and women of all ages are encouraged to train as line umpires for this big event in Bermuda's sporting calendar.

"We don't want very young kids, though,'' cautions Mr. Way. "These guys hit the ball at about 125 mph, so they need to be about 15 and up.'' All participants will receive ATP windbreakers, shirts and bags, luncheon vouchers and ground passes for themselves and one guest.

"We're anxious to get people who can cover weekdays,'' says Mr. Simmons, adding that extra training sessions will be held, if necessary.

Anyone who is interested in becoming a line umpire is asked to call Mr.

Simmons at 295-5566, Ext. 217, or trainer Mr. Joseph Morley at 295-8842 as soon as possible.