The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

MARK Knowles has seen the greatest transformation from a youngster trying to hold a racket to spending more than 20 years travelling around the world as a professional tennis player. He returned home on Friday to begin another era as a retired player with a chance to inspire a new generation to follow in his footsteps.

To maximise his potential to influence the future stars, the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association welcomed him home by breaking ground for the new Mark Knowles Stay and Play Tennis Center at the National Tennis Center where Knowles turned in some outstanding performances as a member of the Bahamas Davis Cup team.

The center, which will feature six mini courts, will be constructed just in the back of the stadium court and on the Jane Wiberg Wall that the young tennis players currently use to practice on.

A somewhat emotional Knowles said, after playing for so long, he didn’t know how to deal with being on the other side of the court.

“You really pay attention to the stats, to the wins or the titles,” he said of his glowing career that comprised of more than 70 victories, including 56 as a doubles player. “Being here at home with my family and my children, it brought back a lot of emotions because that is where it all started for me. It didn’t seem like 40 odd years ago. It only seemed like yesterday. So that was emotional.

“But it was nice to be here with my wife, my two boys and my young daughter and my family to share this time with them.”

The BLTA which, in conjunction with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, is spearheading the plans for the center, displayed a drawing that was designed by Sara Gardiner of Melvill Gardiner Designs.

It will comprise of six tennis courts that will cater to youngsters of all ages in the new programme being offered by the International Tennis Federation to encourage more participation for those novice players.

Gardiner, who initially worked on the design with the late Giorgio Baldacci who passed away and a moment of silent was offered on behalf of the former coach and executive, said she was delighted to have produced the blue print.

“The key thing here is to make best use of the space,” Gardiner said.

“We want to provide two playground areas and their own little courts. I’m just really thrilled that I’ve gotten this opportunity to help.”

Construction on the center, according to BLTA president Derron

Donaldson, is expected to begin in December and should be completed by January. They will be free of charge for all players wishing to play on them.

“It’s a major development for us because these players will be allowed to come in here and play for free and they won’t have any cost to maintain them,” Donaldson said. “So with the facilities available, they can develop from the young age on the small courts and progress to the big courts. The foundation would have already been laid. So instead of starting on the big courts where they could be intimidated, they will get a chance to start where they are more comfortable.”

The goal, according to Donaldson, is to be able to introduce a regular school league which will encourage more participation from the grass root level, something that Knowles feels is ideally situated for the courts.

“This is the future and I’m honoured to have it named after me because this is where it all got started for me,” Knowles said. “I remembered hitting the ball on the wall. We didn’t have mini tennis courts in my day, so I just hit on the wall. I’m sure if I was to get started today, I would be playing on the mini courts. This is where it all started for me, so I just want to let them know that the opportunity is right around the corner for them. All they have to do is allow their mind to believe in it and as Bahamians, they can achieve it.

“It’s a great initiative, so it’s great to be back home now that I’m retired and not looking out there for a partner to play with at the Australian Open and trying to win some more titles. That part of me is over and done with, so I’m now on the side looking on the reflection aspects of it. This is going to be nice. This is where I want to be. This is where I get to share my life now with my people here in the Bahamas. I’m happy to be back here.”

Two future tennis players who hope to follow in Knowles’ footsteps were among the many persons on hand to witness the historic event.

Michael Major, a six-year-old second grader at St John’s College,

said Knowles has been an inspiration to him over the two years that he has been involved in tennis.

“He’s a great player,” Major said. “I want to be able to play on the courts because he has done a lot for the game.”

And Tenajae Ferguson, a seven-year-old second grader at Kingsway

Academy, said the tennis center should help her to improve her game. “It’s good,” she said. “He had a good career.”

Knowles’ mother Vickie Andrews, who attended the event with his father Sammie Knowles and brother Byron, said she clearly remembers the days of her son getting his feet wet.

“So we’re very excited and very impressed with the way the BLTA has stepped forward with their young president to honour Mark in this way,” she said. “ I think it’s going to be something for us all to look forward to.”