NASSAU, Bahamas --  The following is an important message from the organizers of the Mark Knowles Celebrity Tennis Invitational:

Mark Knowles received the following statement from Andy Roddick today:

“It is with deep regret that I am announcing that I will not be able to participate in the Mark Knowles Celebrity Tennis Invitational. Due to my existing knee injury, I am still unable to compete and am continuing a detailed daily rehabilitation program on my knee in order to expedite my recovery for the upcoming 2010 season.  I hope to visit the Bahamas in 2010 and again I am very sorry to miss this year’s Invitational.  Wishing you a very successful event,
Sincerely,
Andy

Mark Knowles said that he is obviously very disappointed that Andy cannot be with us this year, but unfortunately injuries and the recovery from them is something that professional athletes live with on a daily basis. Despite the fact that Andy will not be here, Mark emphasized that we still have a tremendous line-up of players such as Benjamin Becker who is currently ranked #40 and Robert Kendrick on the singles tour and Anna-Elena Groenefeld, the reigning Wimbledon Mixed Doubles champion with Mark.  Also Don Johnson and Jared Palmer, former #1 Doubles ranked players and Wimbledon champions.

It is expected that the schedule for the public Exhibition at 3 p.m. on Saturday 5th December at the National Tennis Centre will consist of the following matches:

Mens Singles: Benjamin Becker v Robert Kendrick 

Mens Doubles: Mark Knowles & Marvin Rolle v Don Johnson & Jared Palmer

Mixed Doubles: Mark Knowles & Anna-Lena Groenefeld v Martin Damm & Olga Savchuk

4.30 p.m. Junior Players Interactive with the Pros.

The public is encouraged to come out and watch the exhibition. Admission is Adults $10 and Children Free. Tickets are on at: The National Tennis Centre; The Atlantis Tennis Centre; Village Squash Club; Lyford Cay School; H. G. Christie.

The  proceeds of the event will go to aid local children’s charities such as The Cancer Society, the Sassoon (Bahamas) Foundation for Pediatric Heart Care, The Special Olympics, The Association for the Physically Disabled, The Chance Foundation and the Mark Knowles Tennis Scholarship Fund.  To date over $400,000 has been distributed to various charities.  The aim this year is to increase total donations to $500,000.

The major sponsors to date include: Atlantis Resort & Casino, Lombard Odier Darier Hentsch Private Bank & Trust;   Pictet Bank & Trust Ltd; Serenity Point, Abaco; The Balmoral; The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism; American Airlines;   The Bank of the Bahamas; Everkey Global Fund;   Templeton Global Advisors; Odyssey Aviation; H3O; The Bahamas Weekly; and The Ministry of Youth Sports & Culture.

The Mark Knowles Celebrity Tennis Invitational is a Charity Event hosted by Mark. It was first held in 2001. The event is held in December at the National Tennis Centre in Nassau (New Providence), Bahamas. The purpose of the event is to raise money for various charities, such as The Sassoon Pediatric Heart Foundation, The Cancer Society, The Association of the Physically Disabled, The Childrens Emergency Hospital, The Boy Scouts of Bahamas, The Special Olympics and scholarships for promising junior tennis players.  Visit: www.markknowlestennis.com