David Lambert is all ears after being elected president of Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association last night.

Lambert, who stood unopposed for the top post at the BLTA's annual general meeting, intends to spend his first few weeks in the job finding out what Bermuda's tennis community wants from him.

"During the first three weeks, I will be doing a lot of listening,'' said Lambert. "I want everyone in tennis to have an input -- officials, professionals, clubs, junior players and parents.

"I want them to tell me what they want the BLTA to do for them.'' For Lambert, who works as director of tennis at Elbow Beach, it will be a second stint as BLTA president.

The first time, he served the maximum three-year spell allowed by the BLTA constitution before he stepped down in April, 1998.

Lambert will succeed Colin Smith, who resigned last month.

"I have missed being involved in tennis as I was before and I very much look forward to doing it again,'' said Lambert.

"I play tennis all day and I've finally come to the conclusion that I can't get enough of it.'' Lambert will meet with BLTA officers today and over the next few weeks will meet with all the Island's teaching professionals, plus junior players and their parents and club representatives.

One of Lambert's chief aims while in the local tennis hotseat will be to increase the opportunities for junior players to compete overseas.

"What we have found over the years is that is important for our youngsters to get exposure overseas,'' said Lambert.

"We would like to see more youngsters playing on the Caribbean junior circuit. The tournaments down there start in June and they go on for six weeks.

"The only cost for us is to get them there, then the ITF (International Tennis Federation) provides accommodation.'' Lambert added that taking the extra step to allow juniors to play against peers of their own ability and better would have benefits not only for the youngsters, but also for the future of Bermuda tennis on the world stage.

"We have to do whatever we can, from the grass roots level, to give our juniors the best shot possible at getting tennis scholarships when they reach college age,'' said Lambert.

"When we have a few young men and women playing collegiate tennis, then we will have a pool of competitive players, from which we can select for the Davis Cup and the Fed Cup. I believe that to play for your country is the ultimate achievement for any sportsman or woman.'' Lambert also intends to work closely with Rick Phelipa, the ITF development officer for the non-Spanish speaking Caribbean region, who said he was impressed with the level of young tennis talent in Bermuda on a three-day visit here last November.

"I have already spoken with Rick and we are finalising a date for a coaching workshop,'' said Lambert. "And we will be looking at how Bermuda can best utilise ITF facilities, such as the tennis academy in Florida.''