Organisers of the XL Capital Bermuda Open have scored a "grand slam" after it was revealed that former French Open champion Michael Chang will be the star attraction at next month's tournament.

Clearly delighted at what he termed "a big coup", tournament director Alec Anderson disclosed that he only finalised negotiations with the American tennis star yesterday.

"We just did the deal today and we're very excited about Michael Chang coming. He is going to play singles and he will also take part in the junior clinic," he said.

"He is coming with his parents and, I think, his brother too. He likes his fishing so one of the ways of enticing him was telling him that he could get out and catch some tuna while he is here," Anderson added.

He also confirmed that other top players competing in the Bermuda Open will be the entertaining Andrew Ilie of Romania - now resident in Australia and a former Bermuda Open champion who rips his shirt at the end of every match - and Taylor Dent, who has also played here before. The latter currently represents the United States in Davis Cup tennis.

Another American, James Blake, is also a possible entrant but this depends on tournament commitments, said Anderson.

"He (Blake) would like to come but he has to see if it can be fit into his schedule. Some people would remember his name.

"He and Taylor Dent combined for one of the biggest upsets we've ever had in the tournament when they beat Richey Reneberg and Jim Grabbe in doubles a few years ago," recalled the tournament director.

The man of the moment though is Chang, a first round loser to Wayne Arthurs of Australia at the Siebel Open in California this week, who created a stir in international tennis when, as a 17-year-old, he destroyed some of the best known names in the game to claim victory at Roland Garros in 1989 - the youngest player to win that or any Grand Slam event.

His upset win snapped a long drought for American men at the French Open as none of them had conquered on the Grand Slam circuit's lone clay surface since 1955.

This stunning start to his career was the fulfilment of the potential he showed while repeatedly setting "youngest player" records, including becoming the youngest player to win a main draw match at the US Open and the youngest to reach a Tour semi-final, both in 1987.

Then, he became the youngest to rank in the top five. In 1991 he reached the quarter-finals or better in 13 tournaments.

Since turning professional in 1988, the New Jersey native has won 34 singles crowns and earned more than $18 million in prize money. He enjoyed his highest singles ranking - No. 2 - in September 1996 and a best doubles ranking of No. 199 in April 1993.

Chang's strength is his return game and he is considered one of the fastest players on the circuit, possessing an all-court game.