The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE 13th edition of the Mark Knowles Celebrity Invitational promises an exciting brand of tennis with marquee stars on both the WTA and ATP teaming up with the Bahamian sports icon for a worthy cause.

Knowles officially launched the weekend’s itinerary during a press conference at the Atlantis Tennis Centre yesterday.

Knowles, the invitational’s namesake and event chairman, said the goal of community development has remained on course for more than a decade.

“Not lost in the tennis is the main reason we are here. The main reason we are here is to give back to our community. I have always felt that if the day comes that I could make a difference, giving back would be the first thing on my list. I certainly think that to be able to give back to so many deserving charities is in line with that ideal,” he said.

Some of the charities who have benefitted include the Sassoon Pediatric Heart Foundation, the Cancer Society, The Association of the Physically Disabled, The Boy Scouts of the Bahamas, the Special Olympics and scholarships for promising junior tennis players.

Total donations to charities have reached $870,000, and Knowles said the group hopes to surpass the $1 million mark this year.

“I would like to take credit for the success of the event but I really take no credit. Without the support of the ministry and their tremendous sponsorship we have had, also in promoting the event, this would not be possible, in particular to the Atlantis resort for the backdrop,” Knowles said. “They love to come here, what more can you say about our waters and our beaches. It is not a hard sell to get people to come to the Bahamas in December, especially for a worthy cause.”

The schedule begins 6:30pm tonight with a cocktail party at “The Barn” at Lyford Cay, which will be highlighted by a memorabilia auction.

Featured items on the auction list will include framed autographed rackets from world No.1 and 32 time Grand Slam title winner Serena Williams, 2013 Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki and former world No.1 Andy Roddick.

Friday, November 22, players will take to the court at both locations as the eastern and western divisions play the preliminary round.

The eastern division of the Pro Am, played at the Atlantis Tennis Centre, is scheduled for 11am to 1pm, followed by the western division, played at the Lyford Cay Tennis Centre, 6-8pm.

The weekend finale takes place Saturday, November 23 at the Atlantis Tennis Centre beginning at noon with the finals of the Pro Am featuring the winners of both the eastern and western divisions.

At 1:30pm there will be a trio of exhibition matches featuring the star-studded cast of tour players.

In a mixed doubles match, Denis Kudla and Lisicki will take on Jean-Julien Rojer and Taylor Townsend.

Following the match, Lisicki will face Lucie Safarova in ladies’ singles.

In the final match of the invitational, Knowles will team up with Max Mirnyi to face Rojer and Oliver Marach in men’s doubles.

Photo and autograph opportunities with the players will immediately follow the match.

Knowles’ mother, Vicky Knowles, who once competed at Wimbledon in mixed doubles, serves as the director of the event.

“We certainly appreciate all the help that we have received. The Ministry of Tourism has been on board with us from the beginning,” she said. “It is a lot of work but it is very gratifying to see the results.”

Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe said the event has become one of the country’s standard bearers in sports tourism. “Sports tourism is truly taking off. This gives the Bahamas a tremendous platform and exposure for a marquee celebrity event. Is it difficult to get people to come here? No it’s not. Give them the facilities, give them an opportunity and a reason and people will come to our shores in great numbers,” he said.

“Mark has done very well. I want to congratulate his team for the wonderful job they have done over the years putting on this event,” he said. “Mark has not only been a great player and has given back to the community but he is an inspiration. His success has allowed other young Bahamians to dream that one day they can be like him. Mark has shown great leadership carrying the Bahamian flag for years on the tour, not just in this event, and he is a role model to every Bahamian.”

Lisicki headlines this year’s list of stars.

The 24-year-old German phenom is currently ranked No.15 on the WTA tour.

Townsend, the 17-year-old American, was the former world No.1 junior before he turned professional in 2012.

Safarova of the Czech Republic is currently ranked No. 29 in singles and No.18 in doubles while Mirnyi of Belarus is currently ranked No. 22 in doubles, with claim to 48 doubles titles over his career.

Rojer, of the Netherlands, has nine career doubles titles and is currently ranked No.15 in doubles while Marach is ranked No.37 in doubles and Kudla is currently ranked No.109 in singles.