The Tribune

THERE’S always a lot of excitement brewing for the Mark Knowles Celebrity Tennis Invitational and this year is no exception.

The event, which brings a number of professional tennis players for a weekend of exhibition matches, is scheduled to be held November 22-23 at the Atlantis Tennis Centre on Paradise Island.

This year’s pro line-up once again offers a stupendous array of future and veteran tennis talent.

Among the list of participants are:

Sabine Lisicki, Germany

2013 Wimbledon Ladies

Finalist

Lisicki is returning to our shores as the 2013 Grand Slam Wimbledon finalist. Unfortunately, she has been injured since then, but now hoping a full recovery will be jump started by her return to support

Mark’s charity event and enjoy our Bahamian hospitality once again.

Ranked #15 in the world

Career Wins over: Francesca Schiavone (ITA), Elena Vesnina, (RUS) R32, [14] Samantha Stosur, (AUS) R16, [1] Serena Williams, (USA) Quarter-final, Kaia Kanepi, (EST), [4] Agnieszka Radwanska, (POL), Venus Williams, USA.

Taylor Townsend, USA

17-year-old American

phenom

Former World No.1. junior burst on the pro scene in 2012, 2012 Australian Grand Slam Singles and Doubles winner, 2012 Junior Wimbledon doubles champion and US Open junior doubles champion.

Lucie Safarova, Czech ranked #29 singles, #18 Doubles 5 Singles titles and 2013 Winner of Quebec City; Career wins over:

Samantha Stosur, Aus; Kaia Kanepi EST, Andrea Petkovic. (Ger).

Member of the Czech Fed Cup Team, 2004, 2006-13; Czech Olympic Team, 2008, 2012. Residence: Monte Carlo, Monaco. Plays: Left-handed (two-handed backhand)

Max Mirnyi, Belarus

Current ranking #22 doubles - career high #1. Career high singles ranking #18

48 career doubles titles and 1 singles title.

Member of Belarus Davis Cup team since April 1994. Father played competitive volleyball in the 60s; Mother - Tatiana, was a swimmer and held a Balarus national record in 1971 (200 metres butterfly).

In November 2001, received highest State Honourary title for his achievements in sports by Belarus prime minister. In October 2002, he was named UN AIDS Ambassador for Belarus. In February 2004, after an epic Davis Cup win over Russia, Belarus president awarded him with highest Government Title “Orden Otechestva.”

In May 2004, was voted to a four-year term as vice-president of Belarus Tennis Federation. Since April 2006, he has served as a UNICEF Good Will Ambassador for Belarus. Completed his International Law degree at the Belarus State University in July 2008. On August 14, 2013, Belarus Post issued a stamp with Mirnyi’s image.

He is married to Ksenia (nicknamed “Ksusha”) on July 10, 2004 in Minsk. They have two daughters, Melanie and Petra and a son Demid. Denis Kudla - U.S.A #109. Career high #90.

21 years old right handed. Born in Kiev, Ukraine and lives Arlington, Virginia.

Jesse Levine, Canada

Ranked #152,

Career high #69

Levine was born in Canada and moved to the US at age 13. He played as No.1 player at University of Florida for one season, compiling a 21-0 record, before turning pro in summer 2007.

He spent two years at Nick Bollettieri Academy. Best junior result was doubles title at Wimbledon in 2005 (w/Michael Shabaz). In July 2007, he spent 10 weeks training in Dubai with Roger Federer. In December 2012, changed nationality to Canadian and is eligible to represent Canada in Davis Cup competition.

Jean-Julien Rojer, NED

He has 9 career doubles titles and is currently ranked #15 in doubles. Career high in doubles - #6.

He was born in Curacao, Netherlands and lives in Miami.

Oliver Marach - currently ranked #37 in doubles with career high of #8.

He began playing tennis at age six. Nicknamed ‘Oli’ by friends and family. His favourite surfaces are clay and slow hard courts. He considers his forehand as best shot. His best moment of his career so far is reaching the SFs at Australian Open in 2009 and qualifying for Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London.