As the eyes of the tennis world shift toward Bermuda with some of the world's best players competing in the XL Bermuda Open next week, significant changes are taking place within the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA).

David Lambert is expected to be swept into the presidency tonight as members of the BLTA gather for their annual general meeting at their Burnaby Street office beginning at 6 p.m.

Lambert -- largely viewed as Keith Fisher's hand-picked successor -- will take immediate command of one of the Island's fastest-growing sporting associations.

Fisher, 47, has held the position since April, 1992, but has played a major role in the way tennis is governed in Bermuda since the late 1980s.

He was also vice-president during Allan Simmons' tenure as president from 1989 to 1992.

Fisher's three years at the helm of the BLTA, however, has been marked by a wide range of achievements and some controversy. Obvious highlights include membership in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) -- which can be attributed to Simmons -- leading to Bermuda's first-ever participation in the Davis Cup last month.

"I'm tired but happy,'' said Fisher yesterday. "We've done a lot. There are more people playing at every level and they have more events in which to participate.'' There has clearly been a wide range of spin-offs resulting from professional tennis returning to the Island with the XL Classic, an ATP Challenger event 16 months ago, and the XL Bermuda Open, a full-blown ATP World Series event, which starts on Monday.

Local events like last year's Heineken Bermuda Open achieved a record entry, with other tournaments enjoying similar success.

Besides the presidency, other key changes on the executive should see Kim Simmons replacing Sheila Gomez as head of the national junior development programme and Bob Smith taking over from Lambert at the pro association.

Walter Burgess, one of Bermuda's top teaching pros, will be heavily relied on to boost the public relations arm of the association.

Aileen Towner is expected to replace Kate Blankenship as treasurer.

It is believed that Lambert has been groomed to succeed Fisher ever since former vice-president Ian Waddington left the association last summer over a seedings controversy. Allan Simmons was asked to finish out Waddington's term.

Said Fisher: "I think David is a good choice to take us forward, assuming that he's voted in. I think now we have all the foundation firmly in place and there's a lot for somebody as enthusiastic and knowledgeable as David.'' "I feel very excited,'' said Lambert, known primarily for his success with the pro association and his trademark straw hat which he wears "until it drops apart'' his wife Barbara said yesterday.

"I've had a lot of encouragement,'' he added. "A lot of people have come up and have given me a lot of support. So I'm looking forward to it.'' The 39-year-old father of three daughters started playing tennis when he was 11 and won his first tournament a year later.

He served as ballboy when Pancho Gonzales and Arthur Ashe played exhibitions here, and his dream was to play at Wimbledon.

His principal tasks will be to build on several programmes already in place, including the Davis Cup.

The BLTA has also decided to send a women's team to next year's Federation Cup and will compete in an ITF Caribbean junior circuit. The association also hopes to deal more closely with the Bermuda Olympic Association so that teams can be sent to events like the Pan-Am Games. They also hope to benefit from subsidies such as the Elite Athletes Fund.

"It's just a matter of bringing tennis to the forefront,'' said Lambert. "I just want to put tennis on a higher profile.'' He is expected to be a hands-on administrator.

"I have a lot on my plate but I also have a lot of things that are kind of falling into place and all I have to do is stay close with it. My role will be to make sure that everything is running on all cylinders, so to speak. Whether it's commercial league, winter league, junior development programme, national training...I will be involved in pretty much every aspect of the sport.'' Also on his plate will be the establishment of computer rankings for all players, a men's ladder to complement the highly-successful women's ladder and programmes for schools and seniors.

Under review will be the BLTA constitution and various by-laws (it's felt that a one-year term for the president should be extended) and a feasibility study for taking over the day to day running of the Tennis Stadium will be launched.

A more comprehensive approach to fund-raising will also be put in place as well as examining the potential for tennis facilities on the US Naval base.

"I've got some work to do,'' he said. "I would say I'm going in to be president of one of the most active sporting governments on the Island.'' Lambert said he'll be relying heavily on Fisher and Simmons.

"Keith (has) been a very effective president and Allan is the ultimate diplomat. I have learned a lot from both of them. Just from being around the executive...everybody is there because they want to be there. Remember no one gets paid for those decisions.'' Said Fisher: "My advice to him? To make sure that he has a bunch of willing workers around him to convert ideas into practice.'' Proposed officers: President: David Lambert; Vice-president: Allan Simmons; Treasurer: Aileen Towner; Secretary: Airlie Arton.

Proposed executive committee delegates at large: Tournament chairwoman: Margaret Way; Public relations: Walter Burgess; National junior development: Kim Simmons; Women's development: Suzette Fisher; Winter League: Judy Anderson; Commercial League: Stuart McCrae; Port Royal representative: Michael Wolfe (Prescott Robinson, back-up); Professional Association: Bob Smith.

Proposed club representatives, immediate past president: Coral Beach: Bill Way; All Bermuda: Joseph Morley; Pomander Gate: Mary Leigh Chasty; Immediate Past President: Keith Fisher.

DAVID LAMBERT -- `I just want to put tennis on a higher profile'