The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

MARK Knowles has been an integral part of the Bahamas' tennis team at the Olympic Games since Barcelona, Spain, in 1992.

For the first time this year, Knowles will not be going and, subsequently, the Bahamas won't have a squad as a part of the delegation that will be in London, England, in July.

"I really don't think that I will be able to do it again this year," said Knowles, who headed the Bahamian tennis team in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1996, Sydney, Australia, in 2000, Athens, Greece, in 2004 and Beijing, China, in 2008.

"In order for us to qualify, I would have to play Davis Cup this year and the hard part about it is that the division that the Bahamas is in, Division III, has to play Davis Cup during Wimbledon," Knowles said.

"Obviously, I can't sacrifice missing Wimbledon to play in the zonal matches at division three. It's kind of unfortunate, especially after playing five Olympics. It would be nice to play a sixth one since it's in London. It would have been pretty special. But that's the way it goes."

Although Knowles was not able to secure a medal for the Bahamas in the five Olympic appearances, he said he still enjoyed the run, the longest by any active Bahamian.

Only retired legendary skipper Sir Durward 'Sea Wolf' Knowles has appeared in more consecutive Olympics, having represented the Bahamas in sailing in a career that spanned 40 years from 1948-1988.

In order to qualify for the Olympics, Knowles or any other Bahamian would have to be ranked in the top 10 in the world in doubles. At present, Knowles is pegged at No.80.

As a result of his ranking in 2008, Knowles was able to team up with Devin Mullings, who at the time had accumulated at least one ATP point. At present, the only player with any ATP points is Marvin Rolle but that's not enough for the Bahamas without Knowles' high ranking.

"We would probably need a wild card and that is left up to the ATP," Knowles said. "So we will have to wait and see. But by me not going to play Davis Cup, that could pretty much rule us out of it."

Knowles, by the way, has not played Davis Cup since 2008 when the Bahamas was beaten 4-1 by Paraguay at the National Tennis Centre in Group II.

But having played in Wimbledon for all of his 20-year career as a professional player, Knowles said he would have certainly felt good about returning in London to play in another Olympiad.

"I'm sure that it will be tough to watch and not being there to play," he said. "It's going to be a special event for all who participate. The Olympics are special in their own rights. But to actually be in London playing on grass at the Olympics will be interesting. I guess I will just have to watch it on television. But I will miss being there in person as the Bahamas wins some medals in track for sure."

With his career starting to wind down, Knowles doesn't see himself playing in 2016 so he could very well close the door on that chapter in his life.