With five weeks to go before some of the world?s top juniors descend on the Island, tennis administrators are keen to congratulate their own young stars.

Bermuda Lawn Tennis Federation president David Lambert is delighted with the impact the top home-grown juniors are having in this summer?s tournament calendar.

?It has been a pleasing summer so far,? said Lambert, in his last year at the helm of Island tennis administration.

?We have seen some great performances by our youngsters in all the tournaments so far.

?It isn?t just luck that this is happening, it is the hard work of everyone in the association and shows the importance of placing emphasis on the junior development program.?

At the Heineken Open last month , Morgan Lightbourne won both the Ladies ?A? and ?B? events, while Caitlin Gordon, just 13, was a runner-up in the ?A? event.

In fact, very few of the winners at the event would have been able to legally drink the sponsor?s fare, with 15-year-old David Thomas capturing the Men?s ?B? prize.

Then at the Island Construction Open, held earlier this month, two youngsters in particular dominated the Pomander Gate courts.

Gavin Manders, who made his Davis Cup this year in Costa Rica, not only won the singles, but also reached the finals of the men?s and mixed doubles.

In the latter, he was a loser alongside Ashley Brooks, but his 16-year-old partner was a winner in her two other finals - the singles and the ladies doubles.

In the Ladies ?B? competition, the final was played out between a 15-year-old, Jackie Lambert, and a 13-year-old, Cayla Cross. Lambert came out on top.

As well as the honour of winning these open age tournaments, the youngsters also have another carrot on offer.

?It is not just about the tournaments themselves,? continued David Lambert.

?It also shows how hard the young players are trying to get points in our ranking system to try and earn wildcards for the upcoming International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournament.?

The second annual Bank of Bermuda Foundation ITF world ranking junior tournament begins on August 2 with 27 nations set to be represented by the cream of tennis? future stars.

Wildcard spots are available for the top four Bermudians in men and women?s under 18 and under 14 competitions, with the top ranked players over the domestic season automatically filling those places.

This significant prize ? a chance to play against top international juniors ? has brought the Island?s youngsters out again in force for the Argus Open this week.