Brassington, from Ilkley and who plays on the international circuit, had forgotten to enter the event until someone mentioned that he was not in the line-up.

The Yorkshire favourite, who started playing when he was seven, turned full-time professional when he was 17 and is currently coached by Gary Henderson at Heaton.

Brassington is being tutored by a man who knows all about winning the county men's title. Henderson has won the singles event no fewer than a record- breaking 11 times.

Henderson has now retired from the fray, saying he wants younger players to take over.

Meanwhile, Brassington has been toning up for the big Yorkshire challenge which is being held this week at South Leeds Tennis Centre with the finals this Sunday.

"I needed a break from tennis so decided to go to Egypt ahead of the Yorkshire event," said Brassington, seeded to meet South Leeds-based Richard Crabtree in the final.

Brassington is a member of Henderson's elite group which includes Jonathan Kinsella (Cheshire); Christopher Harfield and Tim Bradshaw, both of whom play for the combined Hereford and Worcestershire team.

Alex Johnston, based at Ilkley, is also in the coaching squad.

Brassington's debut on court was guided by Ilkley coach Pauline Sharpe and later by Derek Dixon in weekend sessions at the Wharfedale club.

More recently the noted Jim Edgar dispensed coaching tips during visits to the Bolton Arena.

Brassington goes into the Yorkshire Championships with a world ranking of 1187, but has mounted a campaign to reach the 700 mark by the end of this year.

A HOT topic of conversation at the recent Ilkley Open Tennis Championships centred on the lack of a cover for the show court.

As reported in this column, several spectators wondered why the main court was not given a cover, ensuring a swift return to the grass courts once rain had stopped.

A club spokesman said one of the key issues was ensuring that any cover would allow the courts to breathe and not sweat.

He added that Wimbledon had its pole and winch tent, but that was a static and costly contraption.

The spokesman added: "We would need to bring in something for just this one event.

"If it was a wheeled-on affair, like cricket covers, we would need to ensure that it did not damage adjacent courts.

"We would also need to look at how we could bring it in quickly when the stand is in place."

It looks likely that any "cover-up" plan is as far away as it's ever been and that a canter to the indoor courts will still be part of the Ilkley tradition.