Long-serving Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) president David Lambert has revealed he will step down from his position next month.He is expected to be succeeded by Coleridge Place who has served as a BLTA vice-president for the last four years.Lambert has been voted in as the Island’s tennis supremo on four occasions, and while he insists it’s game set and match in terms of his presidency he still plans to work with the BLTA in the future.“I will always assist with the BLTA in any way I can depending on my time. It’s been wonderful and very fulfilling,” said the 55-year-old.“I’ve been president for quite a few years, I’m in my eleventh year now and I’m scheduled to leave office at the next AGM in March. I’ve been elected into office on four different occasions, I’ve been in and out, in and out.“The reasons I was asked to return was because some of the presidents elected into office were unable to complete or continue their terms due to work commitments. Consequently the board asked me to run for office and I’ve always been pleased to do so, but I don’t see myself serving as president again.”A self-confessed ‘tennis junkie’, Lambert’s greatest satisfaction during his time as president has been watching Bermuda’s current crop of starlets evolve from enthusiastic five-year-olds into Davis Cup and Fed Cup players.Many of those ‘tennis toddlers’ are now making their mark at International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Rankings Tournaments such as the region’s top under-13 female player Tyler Smith, and Evert Tennis Academy student Chris Rego, much to Lambert’s delight.“The most exciting thing for me is seeing so many of our young Bermudians taking advantage of the opportunities that are afforded to them through the BLTA,” he said.“I’m very proud to see our youngsters continue to acquire college scholarships in the US. That’s where I get most of my satisfaction, seeing those players who come to us as five-year-olds go on and represent the Island at the Davis Cup and Fed Cup.”Stepping aside as president will afford Lambert more time to devote to his role as director of tennis at Elbow Beach where he hopes to market the venue as a top-class tennis destination.“I’m still the director of tennis at Elbow Beach and I’ve been working with the hotel and overseas federations to get US colleges to come in and play their regionals here,” Lambert said. “That’s going to be a big part of my future, travelling around the United States selling Elbow Beach as the place to come to play tennis.“We’ll be offering any kind of programme people can possibly want, whether it be father and son tournaments or clinics. We’ve started these programmes before but now I’ll have the time and flexibility to make it happen.”Lambert has been firm friends with president-elect Coleridge Place since the pair were youngsters, battling for local supremacy on the court. And Lambert has no doubt the BLTA will continue to prosper with Place at the helm.“I’m confident the growth of the sport and the strong successes will continue,” he said. “Coley and I go back a long way and have been playing against each other for 45 years.“He is one of our former top tennis players and is also a fundraiser with his Coleridge Place Birthday Golf Tournament which like the Celebrity Classic helps send Bermudians overseas to compete in ITF World Ranking tournaments.“Last year saw ten teams travel to represent Bermuda at overseas events and I’m sure Coley will continue to work the calender. I believe the BLTA will be in very safe hands and will continue to prosper.”During his 11 years at the BLTA helm Lambert has been bestowed with numerous honours including the Queen’s Certificate (for work in tennis) and several Special Achievement awards received from the Government. In 2009 he was honoured by the ITF for his services to the game.Useful website: www.blta.bm