IT is nearly eight years since Tim Gullikson, former coach of Pete Sampras, rocked the tennis world when he died from brain cancer at the age of 44.

But his memory lives on in a charitable foundation set up with Gullikson's identical twin brother Tom in the months before Tim's death.

The Tim & Tom Gullikson Foundation provides support to the families of those suffering from brain tumours in the shape of money, scholarships and information.

Tom Gullikson will be visiting the Island next month as one of the 'Legends' adding some star quality and nostalgic value to XL Capital Bermuda Open.

"When Tim was diagnosed with brain cancer in 1995, we jointly started the Foundation and since then we've raised around $3 million," Gullikson told from Key Biscane, Florida, where he was taking in some of the action at the Nasdaq-100 Open.

"When someone in the family has a brain tumour, the family finances can really suffer. We try to provide help to such families.

"For example, we gave $50,000 to the Ronald McDonald charity, to be earmarked for sending away brain tumour kids on summer camps. About $100,000 went towards scholarships this year."

Many of the top names in men's tennis turn out to support the Foundation, including the now-retired Sampras, who was world number one at the time of his coach Tim Gullikson's death in May 1996.

Sampras is one of the big names among the Foundation's directors, along with Todd Martin and Jim Courier. But Gullikson has also had a bearing on the younger generation of US tennis stars, who also help him with fund-raising.

"When I was director of coaching at the US Tennis Association from 1998-2001, I coached people like Andy Roddick, James Blake, Mardy Fish, Robbie Ginepri and Taylor Dent," Gullikson said.

"Roddick has played in our Swing Time event in Florida for the past four years and Blake is extremely supportive too."

Gullikson, widely known as 'Gully', played for more than a decade on the ATP Tour, winning one singles title and 16 in doubles, several of them partnering his brother.

He served as US Davis Cup captain from 1994 to 1999 and won the trophy in 1995. As the men's Olympic coach, he helped Andre Agassi win gold in Atlanta in 1996.

He has visited Bermuda several times in the past, including a visit to support the XL Capital Open, the Island's annual ATP Challenger tournament. Tournament director Alec Anderson had asked him to come and 'Gully' had been only too happy to accept.

"It's a first-class tournament in a beautiful venue and it always attracts a good field," Gullikson said. "It's very well organised and is well received by the players. It's much easier to play when there's a good atmosphere like that."

Gullikson will be involved in clinics and social events with sponsors and also in the Legends exhibition doubles match before the Open final on Sunday, April 25 at 1 p.m.

There are some familiar faces among the other Legends to come next month.

John Lloyd was Britain's top-ranked player for five years and played Davis Cup for his country for 11 years, leading the team to the final in 1978.

He remains the only Englishman in the "open" era to represent his country in a Grand Slam final, having reached the championship match of the 1977 French Open.

Lloyd now lives in Pacific Palisades in California and is a TV commentator for the Prime Network and HBO during Wimbledon.

Roy Emerson has won more Grand Slam titles than any other man ? 28 ? and is the only player to win singles and doubles events at all four Grand Slam events.

His tally of 12 Grand Slam singles titles has only been surpassed by Sampras and includes five successive Australian Open victories from 1963 to 1967.

Emerson was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame in 1982 and is considered by many to be the best player of all time.

Another Aussie joining the Legends is Ross Case, who won four singles titles and 26 doubles crowns in his 14-year career.

Known as "The Snake" because of his quick court coverage, Case was renowned for his serve-and-volley game.

A native of Toowoomba, Case started playing tennis on the family farm, where he spent hours hitting a ball against a wooden backboard made for him by his father.

The remaining Legend is Mikael Pernfors, best known on the island for winning the inaugural Bermuda Open in 1993.

The Swede won three singles titles during his career and reached the French Open final in 1986, upsetting Henri Leconte and Boris Becker on his way to the championship match.

The two-time former NCAA champion still plays at a high level and won the 2003 French Open Legends event.

The 11th XL Capital Bermuda Open will take place on the green clay courts of Coral Beach from April 19 to 25. For more information log on to the website at or call the tournament office on 296-2554.