The second annual Lori McNeil/Elbow Beach Celebrity Tennis Classic began fittingly yesterday - with those for whom it's raising funds.

Some of Bermuda's top junior tennis players spent an hour on Elbow Beach hotel's tennis courts going through drills under the watchful eyes of past and present leading players.

On one court, 1990 Wimbledon runner-up Zina Garrison had the likes of Kris Frick and Rachel Sawden scampering to follow her instructions. On the neighbouring court the powerful trio of Lori McNeil, Amanda Coetzer and Chanda Rubin - just two weeks after her three-setter with Venus Williams in the US Open - put another group, including Lemar and Kayla Cross and Jacqueline Lambert, through their paces.

"Backhands down the line," directed Coetzer, hitting a ball across the net to the next junior in line.

"Move closer to the ball. Step in the direction you're trying to hit. Racquet back - that's it," said McNeil, giving a quick demonstration of what to do.

On a third court, Bahamas No. 1 seed Roger Smith held the attention of another enthusiastic bunch.

"Things are going very well. I'm happy that everybody has arrived. This is the kick-off here and it's a great way to start the event because these are who it's benefiting - Bermuda's juniors," said patron of the event, McNeil, taking a brief break.

Garrison, who does about ten charity tennis engagements a year, was interested in assessing the juniors' ability.

"I like to talk to the kids to see where their heads are and how I can help them. That's very important (what juniors think about their tennis future) at their age because, if they are anything like I was at that age, they don't have any idea what's going on. You just happen to be on a tennis court.

"When Lori and I were growing up, as long as there was a court and balls and people were playing, we would be on the courts until somebody kicked us off," noted the Texas native, once among the top ten women players in the world.

As the coaching session closed, the juniors quizzed the players about their tennis success. Rubin was asked about her recent matches against the Williams sisters and where she hopes to be in two years.

Chuckling the world No. 13 player declared: "I'm just thinking about next year."

"Next year! I'm just thinking about next week," quipped South African Coetzer as the crowd burst into laughter.

On a serious note, Rubin said two years is too far ahead and one should just set little immediate goals - "like how to improve a particular shot" - which will have long-term effects.

Pleased with the first event of the Classic, co-ordinator David Lambert urged fellow Bermudians to support tomorrow's tennis exhibition and beach party; two of the public functions for this worthy cause.