When the celebrations for Mark Knowles come to an end the former Bahamian tennis pro, could go to the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association's (BLTA) National Tennis Centre and watch the young and upcoming stars train on a facility named in his honor. About six new tennis courts are expected to be constructed and named after Mark Knowles at the national tennis facility. The new courts will be used by the governing body for tennis in the country, the BLTA, for the Play and Stay Program. President of the local body, Derron Donaldson, said naming the tennis courts after Knowles is just one way the BLTA would like to show its appreciation to Knowles.
Knowles officially announced his retirement from professional tennis in September, after the U.S. Open. The sole flag carrier for The Bahama in the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) completed his last round at the U.S. Open in the men's division with doubles partner Xavier Malisse on August 30. The executive members in the association view Knowles as a big part in the history of tennis in the country. Constructing the new courts is just one of the ways they plan to show their appreciation to Knowles for his long career. "We in the association are still coming up with ways in which we can honor our sporting star or hero, Mark Knowles," Donaldson said.
"Constructing and naming the courts after him is a great idea. The facility will always be there, and that is an indirect way for Knowles to contribute to the development of our youth. Play and Stay is a permanent fixture in the association. Mark Knowles has made meaningful contributions to the sport. This is our way of saying thank you." A huge celebration is being planned by the BLTA. Several educational events, highlighting Knowles' career on the international tennis circuit, coaches and players seminars, will be held during that time.
The event is being planned around the week of the Mark Knowles Celebrity Tennis Tournament, which will be held December 6-9, at the Atlantis Resort. Top ranked professional male and female players are expected to be in town to show support for the former Bahamian tennis pro who had a tremendous career. Knowles participated in one of the longest matches in Wimbledon history, lasting six hours and nine minutes. He has numerous titles under his belt inclusive of the 2002 Australian Open doubles title, the 2004 U.S. Open and the 2007 French Open titles when he partnered with Daniel Nestor. In 2009, he won the mixed doubles title with Anna-Lena Groenefeld at Wimbledon. Knowles is a five-time Olympian, reaching the quarterfinals at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. He has also represented The Bahamas on numerous occasions at Davis Cup.
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