She's back for "round two" and she is optimistic the second annual Lori McNeil/Elbow Beach Celebrity Tennis Classic will be twice as successful as the first.

Tennis pro McNeil, joined by Minister of Sports Randy Horton and Elbow Beach's General Manager Frank Stocek, yesterday called on Bermudians to support the charity event which raises funds for the development of junior tennis here.

"There are always kids in need who have the talent but not the funds to fulfil their potential and that's where this event helps," explained McNeil, who rose from obscurity on public tennis courts in Houston, Texas, to stardom as one of the leading women in the sport.

Having benefited from free lessons, she appreciates the need to do the same for others now.

"You have to give back and this (the Classic) is for a good cause. It's gone over well.

"Last year was really good and I'm back for round two to do it again and hopefully make it bigger and better," she said at Elbow Beach.

The charity event, being held from September 18-21, will feature a number of celebrities, including newly-crowned women's Interational Boxing Association (IBA) Super Middleweight champion Laila Ali, James Avery (Uncle Phil on "Fresh Prince"), tennis professionals Barbara Schett, Amanda Coetzer and Chanda Rubin and basketball stars, Clyde "The Glide" Drexler and Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway.

Stocek said Elbow Beach was pleased to repeat its title sponsorship of McNeil's fund-raiser, noting that tennis is a major part of the resort.

"Tennis is synonymous with Elbow Beach and we take a lot of pride in our courts. We see this as a way of giving back to Bermuda. Looking after the juniors and helping develop tennis in Bermuda is a great thing to do."

Horton welcomed McNeil to the Island again, saying Government is thrilled with the opportunities which monies raised from the Classic will offer junior players.