JUNIOR tennis was given a big financial boost this week when $15,000 was given to the BLTA Junior Development Committee to help Bermuda’s young stars compete in ITF events in the Caribbean this summer.BLTA president David Lambert said: “We raised the money from last year’s Elbow Beach Celebrity Tennis Classic. Hopefully this will help give our young stars every opportunity to compete abroad and raise their game.”

Last year’s Classic — the third one held — saw former tennis stars like Wendy Turnbull, Katrina Adams and Hana Mandikova join former New York City Mayor David Dinkins for clinics and exhibitions. Money was raised during an auction at the annual black tie dinner.

Lambert said: “Besides the stars who came here to help we also had other people send down things to auction off.”

Muhammad Ali sent down an autograph glove, Kim Clijsters sent a pair of autographed tennis shoes and there were also autographed items sent by top players Venus Williams and Lindsay Davenport along with Ali’s daughter Laila Ali.

“We really want to thank those people involved with the Classic — the players and celebrities who came to Bermuda and of course Elbow Beach itself. We appreciate all the support from corporate Bermuda, all the volunteers who put in a lot of time and Government which does assist us.”

Lambert said that the money will not only help with the expenses of the young players this summer travelling to tournaments but also in preparation.

“Our young players have a lot of talent but they also need a lot of lessons and this money will help with that before they leave Bermuda to compete,” he said.

This year’s Classic will be staged from September 26-29. “We have already confirmed that Katrina Adams and Grand Slam winner Hana Mandikova will return as well as former Mayor Dinkins and Laili Ali. We are also working on getting in more celebrities and former players,” added Lambert.