Ex-British Davis Cup player Chris Wilkinson makes his Honda Challenge debut as a doubles entrant when the tournament returns to the Royal Albert Hall this week.

The 30-year-old from Fair Oak never failed to produce his best form in front of the London crowds during the British grass court season.

After first making the limelight in 1993, having upset Goran Ivanisevic at the Stella Artois championships, he went on to reach the singles third round of the Wimbledon singles four times in 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1998, and the doubles quarter finals in 1993 with Paul Hand.

Since retiring as a full-time professional from the tour last year, Wilkinson has divided his time between coaching at the club he runs with father Reg at Bishopstoke, as well as commentating for BBC 5 Live.

But this week he will be back in competition against some of the big names from the past including Vijay Amritrag, Mansour Bahrami, Peter Fleming, John Lloyd, Peter MacNamara and Illie Nastase.

"London has some of the best memories for me as a player," said Wilkinson. "The Royal Albert Hall is a great venue and I'm really looking forward to playing with the star names from the past."

The doubles event began today, a round robin culminating in the finals on Sunday December 10, will support the singles tournament which could feature the last ever encounter on British soil between Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe.

Following their memorable encounters on the regular tour, including two Wimbledon and US Open finals, the two greats have continued their rivalry on the Champions Tour in recent years.

But Borg, who is retiring from playing full time on the tour at the Honda Challenge, is relishing the opportunity for what could be a final meeting with his old rival.

"It's always special to see John on the other side of the net and on the Champions Tour we've had a lot of very good matches," said Borg last week.

"Even today we are very good friends and we have a respect for each other on the court and off the court. He's a great tennis player and a great person too."

Also appearing at the Honda Challenge will be Borg's fellow Swede Mats Wilander, who will be making his debut in the tournament, last year's finalist Henri Leconte, 1987 Wimbledon champion Pat Cash and the 1983 French Open champion, Noah.