David Lambert has withdrawn his candidacy for the presidency of the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association.

Lambert had been seeking a fifth term in the top post and was due to face off with rival candidate Michael Wolfe at the BLTA’s annual general meeting to be held on March 18.

However, the long serving tennis administrator had a change of heart and informed the BLTA of his decision to withdraw from the race.

Lambert, who serves as the BLTA vice-president at present and chairman of the association’s Professional Tennis Registry, could not be reached for comment.

However, Wolfe confirmed that his rival candidate has withdrawn.

“He [Lambert] has put in notice to the BLTA that he has stepped down from the BLTA presidency race,” Wolfe said. “In fairness to David he did actually put in his notice that he wasn’t going to run prior to the 21-day period so it did give anyone else an opportunity to step up and challenge if they so desired.”

According to Wolfe, the BLTA did not receive further applications from anyone else seeking to become president prior to deadline, 21 days before the AGM, which has already expired.

This means that Wolfe is now the sole candidate vying to succeed Coleridge Place as BLTA president. “I think at this point in time you become the heir apparent and can actually start pressing forward with your thoughts and ideas,” Wolfe said.

Place opted not to seek a second term in office, citing work commitments as the reason for his decision

“I have done my four years and I figured that’s enough for me and I need to move on to focus on my electrical business,” he said.