Andy Roddick Helps Mark Knowles in a Successful Charity Tournament

Written by: Staff on 13th December 2011

BNP Paribas 2011 Masters Tennis Tournament

Andy Roddick Helps Mark Knowles in a Successful Charity Tournament

Andy Roddick of the USA returns the ball to Julien Benneteau of France during their first round match at the BNP Paribas 2011 Masters tennis tournament in Paris, France, 08 November 2011. EPA/HORACIO VILLALOBOS |

Bahamas doubles player Mark Knowles completed another successful staging of his annual charity tournament his native Bahamas with all-star guests led by good friend Andy Roddick and lesser lights Amer Delic, Jesse Levine and Xavier Malisse plus WTA guests Anna-Lena Groenefeld, Vania King, Olga Savchuk.

While the hit-and-giggle was all on good fun in the island sunshine, the 11th edition did raise $150,000 in aid of local charities, with total donations for the event now past $800,000 over its life.

Roddick, the former No. 1 now standing 14th, was making good on a promise to play after he had to withdraw injured from the 2009 edition, “It’s for a worthy cause, so I’m just glad to be here,” he told local media, which was almost more interested in the bikinis worn poolside by wife Brooklyn Decker on the brief holiday-work sojourn,

“Most of us are in our off season, so it’s just fun. I had some in-laws and some friends come down too, so it’s been a great getaway for us. We had some fun too,” said Roddick.

“It was great to have Andy here,” Knowles said of his sometimes doubles partner. “Not only is he one of the best players of his generation but he has established himself as someone who wants to make a difference off the court.”

“He is incredibly philanthropic and dedicated to improving other people’s lives. The Bahamas loved him and looks forward to welcoming him again soon!”

The Roddick appearance on Knowles home turf came after the doubles star had played in a tournament for Roddick’s own charity in September after the US Open. Knowles, 40, owns 54 doubles titles and has been hailed as the largest single donor to the Bahamas Special Olympics, and the local Sassoon Heart Foundation.

Topics: Mark Knowles, Xavier Malisse