The recent bombing of the World Trade Center in New York has had a direct affect on the Lori McNeil/Elbow Beach Celebrity Tennis Classic, with three stars failing to attend this week's series of events.

Former NBA stars Clyde Drexler and John Lucas, and retired tennis great Zina Garrison were all reluctant to travel to Bermuda in the wake of the disaster and have decided to give the Classic a miss.

However, BLTA president David Lambert said that while the trio's absence was a definite loss, he couldn't blame them for staying away.

Lambert expressed great appreciation for those who did manage to find time to fly in and be a part of a function designed to benefit Bermuda's youth tennis programme, particularly in such trying times.

"We did get hit with a disaster, and there were a few celebrities that could not come," he said.

"Clyde Drexler sends his deepest apologies, along with Zina Garrison. At this time they felt it would be difficult for them to fly to Bermuda.

"We've all lost through the recent tragedy. Bermuda lost, the economy has lost. But you can make that money back. There are people out there that will never recover their fathers, their mothers, their husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, friends and relatives and we feel for them and appreciate these celebrities, none of whom are Bermudian, coming here to spend time in aid of Bermuda's youth. They came for our kids and I can't say it enough.

"(Former New York) Mayor (David) Dinkins is a very powerful man who tells you exactly what he feels, and he has very strong feelings about the development of the youth, that's why he's here.

"We would hope that Bermudians feel just as strongly as these international stars and will demonstrate this by coming out and contributing to this cause."

Drexler and Lucas were further constrained by commitments to the upcoming NBA season.

Lucas is the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers while Drexler is expected to take on a role with the Denver Nuggets as an aid to general manager Kiki Vandeweghe.