Tennis great Zina Garrison and actress Robin Givens are ready and willing to come to Bermuda for a tennis fundraising event in September.

Both stars told The Royal Gazette of their support for the planned Lori McNeil Pro Celebrity Classic, as organisers announced they were on target to make the project reality.

Garrison, a former Wimbledon finalist, and Givens, a screen star and the ex-wife of heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson, are just two of the celebrities who have been recruited for the week of tennis, golf and socialising to raise money for the development of tennis in Bermuda.

Former top basketball players Cyde Drexler and John Lucas, as well as tennis stars Amanda Coetzer, MaliVai Washington and Patrick Rafter have all expressed strong interest in being involved.

All the stars are friends of McNeil, who came up with the idea of the event on her trip to Bermuda last October.

Earmarked for September 23-30, the fundraiser will comprise 11 separate segments, including chances to play tennis with and be coached by the pros, a golf tournament at Port Royal, water sports, two parties (one at Hawkins Island) and a black tie dinner.

Organisers, Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association, have canvassed local businesses in recent weeks, offering $5,000 slots, which entitle two people to participate in each event.

Garrison, 37, who reached number four in the world and won 14 singles titles during a glittering professional career that spanned 13 years, said she was looking forward to making her first visit to the Island.

"I've always wanted to come to Bermuda,'' said Garrison from her home in Houston. "Lori (McNeil) has talked about how nice it is and it's a great opportunity because it's a fundraiser and we'll get to see a beautiful place and do something to help others.'' Some of the funds raised by the September event -- the BLTA hope to accrue around $70,000 -- will go towards the national junior tennis programme.

And that gets the full approval of Garrison, who learned to play on Houston's public courts from the age of 10 and who nine years ago founded the Zina Garrison All-Court Tennis Program to provide inner-city children with the opportunity to play the game.

"I'm very interested in helping kids to play,'' said Garrison. "That's something that's close to my heart. A good junior programme gave me the opportunity to play this game.

"I think tennis is great for kids because it helps build good character and good self-esteem.

"I was blessed to have a good career, but it's great to have the opportunity to do things like this, to let the kids see you're only human and to let them know what they can accomplish if they focus on what they do.'' And what was Garrison most looking forward to about her visit? "Probably the water,'' she said. "I love islands. I'm not a big swimmer, but I love to snorkel.'' Givens may not have sporting pedigree, but her appearance in Bermuda will inject a large dose of star quality to the fundraising week.

Garrison, Givens in classic From Page 25 The 36-year-old actress said she had become involved in the project because McNeil was a long-time family friend and because she had a fondness for tennis.

"We kind of grew up together,'' said Givens. "Lori and my sister Stephanie were best friends.

"My little boy Buddy, who is seven years-old, plays tennis and I just love watching him play. And now he is involved in the junior tennis programme which Lori started.

"I love tennis and I really wish I could play. I'm hopeless -- I get an A for effort, but it's not a pretty sight to see.'' Givens has never visited Bermuda, but after speaking to McNeil, she said she was keen to come here.

"Lori said she loved Bermuda and she saw some kids there she just loved. She said it's a clean and beautiful place and I'm really looking forward to going there. Lori should work for the Bermuda Tourism Department!'' Substantial financial backing from the Elbow Beach Hotel, which will provide accommodation for the incoming stars, has given the project every chance of success.

And BLTA president David Lambert was optimistic that sufficient extra support would come from the business community to make his and McNeil's dream a reality and possibly an annual event.

"All the events themselves have been sponsored and we have 11 companies who have expressed a very strong interest in buying slots,'' said Lambert.

"If all follow their interest, then things will be looking good. We would love to have another 10 companies that would support this venture.'' Lambert said money raised would be used to bolster the junior programme and to finance better preparation of Bermuda's Fed Cup and Davis Cup teams.

"We want to give our players the opportunity to be the best they can be. We want to raise money, but we are not just asking for it, we are offering something in return.'' The deadline for companies or individuals to sign up for slots was originally this Thursday, but Lambert said there was "some flexibility''.

Those interested in participating can contact Lambert on 234-2618 or 239-8908.

Star attraction: Former Wimbledon finalist Zina Garrison, seen here coaching at a recent clinic in the Bronx, New York, is keen to come to Bermuda for September's Lori McNeil Pro Celebrity Classic.