Bermuda's Davis and Fed(eration) Cup hopes are on the verge of being dashed without the Island's players even stepping on court.

Financial concerns and ? in the Fed Cup team's case ? the likely unavailability of top female players are set to doom the Island's participation in this year's zonal tennis tournament.

The final decision will be made today and ? with no sponsors in sight ? it's a near certainty that Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) will be giving a thumbs down to the annual championships.

"Yes, it's very likely that we are not sending a Fed Cup or Davis Cup team. The decisions are to be made by the National Select Committee and we will discuss the relevant issues one more time before making a final decision and statement on the matter," confirmed BLTA president David Lambert.

The sport's national governing body have been hit hard by the International Tennis Federation's (ITF) withdrawal of team funding in recent years which has left the local association to foot virtually the entire bill.

The cost of Bermuda being in the two tournaments will be quite high as both events are slated for South America; the men in Costa Rica and the women in Brazil.

"To have each team travel we're looking at about $13,000 each. It's a financial concern given the fact that the ITF (International Tennis Federation) has reduced their financial assistance.

"Before the ITF used to give us full travel, full accommodation once we reached the tournament plus a $3,000 equipment allowance for sneakers, the clothes you play in ? so everyone is within the dress code ? racquet strings, all those things.

"Now, all we get is 50 percent of travel," outlined Lambert.

"To take a team to Brazil or Costa Rica, you're not talking about a $200 plane ticket. Airlines alone you're talking about almost $5,000 and then there's accommodation and food.

"Also, you always have to stop over coming back and sometimes even going down there.

"You have to be very lucky to travel all the way in one day and return in one day. That's the reality of it."

While Davis Cup captain Steve Bean has recommended a line-up for the men's championship, the BLTA have an additional Fed Cup headache because that tournament coincides with other events to which the majority of Bermuda's squad are committed.

This crisis involves Ashley Brooks, Tara Lambert, Zarah DeSilva and the Fisher triplets (Zoe, Kara and Sasha).

"There are several players whose school commitments are clashing with the (tournament's) dates which are April 19 to 24 in Bahai, Brazil.

"We have touched base with the schools and the problem is these girls are playing their Conferences (collegiate tennis) on those same dates. So, unfortunately, there's that conflict because our best players are likely to be unavailable.

"All are involved in scholastic tennis and Ashley is the only one available," noted Lambert.

The three junior teams scheduled to represent Bermuda this year are, however, not affected by the cash woes thanks to strong financial support for junior tennis. Therefore, the Island's junior Davis and Fed Cup teams will compete in El Salvador next month (rescheduled from Haiti because of political unrest there) while the 14 and Under squad play in the Caribbean Championships in August.

Asked if money for junior players could not assist their senior counterparts, Lambert explained that if sponsors give funds for a specific programme then that's where it's spent and it cannot be redirected for other purposes.

"People come and say 'We're giving these funds for junior development' and we honour what sponsors want."

The BLTA have not met with the same success in securing funds for senior campaigns and time is running out as today is the deadline for informing the ITF if Bermuda will participate in this year's tournament.

"Over the years we have been fortunate to secure sponsorship and we've been meeting with potential sponsors since last October but unfortunately we have not received any money.

"I feel very deflated and frustrated especially to have to go to the captains and say 'Sorry, we can't go' but today is the deadline to notify the ITF. That's it.

"This is normally a very upbeat time but now it's very, very sad. We need money. Even if we could get a couple thousand dollars from a few different sources it would help but so far there's nothing," said the president.

Lambert noted it's a shame for the Island to be denied competing at the highest level, adding there should be a "safety net" of funding for Bermudian teams to participate in international meets.