Knowles’ Baha Mar Cup Delivers Joyful Reset
Bahamian courts buzzed as pros and celebs traded volleys for charity, raising $300,000 in a post-season exhale that blended laughs with lingering tactics.
Under the Bahamian sun, the sixth annual Baha Mar Cup unfolded as a vital breather for tennis’s relentless circuit. Mark Knowles, former No. 1 in the PIF ATP Doubles Rankings, hosted the fundraiser with his signature flair, drawing ATP and WTA stars to the resort’s hard courts for exhibitions that eased the 2025 season’s toll. The four-day event mixed clinics for local youth with pro-am matches, where heavy serves softened into crowd-pleasing lobs, all while channeling energy toward children’s causes.
John McEnroe‘s sharp presence cut through the relaxed vibe, his net rushes prompting grins rather than grunts from opponents. Tommy Paul and James Blake paired up in doubles showcases, dialing back their crosscourt lasers to match the event’s playful tempo. Milos Raonic‘s booming deliveries, usually tour dominators, became gentle giants here, underscoring how the hard surface’s pace invites tactical tweaks even in fun.
“It was a fantastic weekend of fun, laughter and sport all in the spirit of giving back to children’s charities in my beautiful country,” said Knowles, the Bahamian who won 55 tour-level doubles titles in his career, including three major trophies with long-time partner Daniel Nestor. “Thank you to all of the pros, celebrities, amateurs and the entire staff for putting on the most amazing event of the season.”
Pros rediscover rhythm in exhibitions
The pros’ involvement brought a subtle psychological shift, turning rivals into collaborators on the baseline. Jessica Pegula and Victoria Azarenka traded inside-in forehands in mixed formats, their topspin arcs curving lazily under the humid air, while Sabine Lisicki’s powerful serves added pop without the usual intensity. Olga Savchuk and Spencer Papa wove slice backhands into the rallies, using underspin to extend points and draw cheers from onlookers soaking up the resort’s electric hum.
These sessions felt like a reset after months of grinding qualifiers and finals, where every 1–2 pattern carried ranking weight. Here, players experimented freely—Paul opting for down-the-line passes over aggressive net poaches—rebuilding connections that the tour’s isolation often frays. The momentum built from clinics to evening matches, leaving athletes with looser swings and lighter minds as they eyed off-season tweaks.
ATP Tour and Hologic WTA Tour stars in attendance at the 2025 Baha Mar Cup. Credit: Creviiimedia
Celebrities swing for shared purpose
Beyond the pros, a eclectic crew of non-tennis talents jumped in, amplifying the event’s inclusive pulse. Actor Jason Isaacs gripped a racket alongside Paul in the pro-am, his tentative swings met with patient lobs that kept the crowd roaring through every mishit. Renowned chef Marcus Samuelsson and reality star Joey Graziadei dove into doubles, their amateur efforts highlighting how the courts level the field for giving.
Pro golfer Matt Kuchar brought baseline steadiness to his pairings, contrasting the pros’ fluid volleys with earnest groundstrokes that echoed the hard court’s demand for quick adjustments. These crossovers injected fresh energy, reminding everyone of tennis’s communal core amid the sport’s solo battles. As laughter echoed off the resort walls, the blend of worlds fueled a deeper sense of relief, turning the weekend into more than just rallies.
From left to right: Jason Isaacs, Tommy Paul, Mark Knowles and Marcus Samuelsson. Credit: Creviiimedia
Funds flow toward lasting impact
The Baha Mar Cup raised more than $300,000 for the Baha Mar Foundation, bolstering the Mark Knowles Charity Tennis Initiative’s work with Bahamian youth. Knowles’ vision, rooted in his homeland, wove tactical play with heartfelt purpose, offering pros a space to recharge amid the post-2025 haze. As the final volleys faded, the event’s rhythm lingered, hinting at how such gatherings could sharpen edges for the circuits ahead.
