The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Chief Sports Editor

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

After playing together as members of the Bahamas Davis Cup team, it was only natural that one day Mark Knowles and Mark Merklein would venture into coaching the sport of tennis.

What they didn’t envision was that they would be doing it together with one of the top female tennis players in the world on one of the biggest stages in the world.

Since March, Knowles and Merklein have been collaborating as they worked with American Jessica Pegula as she continues her flourishing career as a member of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA).

The number six seed advanced to the final of the US Open in Flushing Meadows, New York where she lost by identical scores of 7-5, 7-5 to Belarusian No.2 seed Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday in the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“Jessica played awesome. We got her to the final, but she lost a tough match,” said Knowles about his only venture in coaching right now, along with his main role as a television analyst for the sport.

Knowles, one of the greatest doubles tennis players in the history of the game, said he was approached by Pegula in March for him to coach her. 

With his high demanding job, he indicated to her that he won’t be able to do it full time, but he suggested that he include Merklein as his assistant.

“I wanted to find someone who I could share the weeks with and that was how I got Mark (Merklein) involved,” Knowles said. “He also lives in Florida, which is closer to her, so it worked out pretty well.

“We got to divide up the week and with the job that I have, I didn’t want to be away from the family for too long. Mark (Merklein) has a family as well and he doesn’t want to be on the road that umh, so it’s worked out pretty good.”

It’s the first time that Knowles and Merklein have ventured together in a coaching role, but as close friends from their playing days on the international scene, they have been able to get the job done.

“The results are showing and it’s a good feeling for both of us,” Knowles said. “I’m not coaching anybody else, but Mark is coaching a few other players so it’s a good fit for both of us.”

Pegula, 30, resides in Boca Raton, Florida. She is coming off her second round appearance at the Olympic Games in Paris, France. The US Open final was her first since she made it to the French Open in 2022. She also got to the semifinal of the Australian Open in 2023 and the US Open quarterfinals in 2023 and Wimbledon’s quarterfinals as well just before the Olympics.

Knowles, 53, said he’s eager to work with Pegula, who incidentally made her major singles debut at the US Open in 2015. She has won six career titles and currently has a career record of 421-241. 

Before Pegula, the first female he’s worked with, Knowles coached Milos Raonic, Jack Sock and Mardy Fish briefly during their careers on the ATP men’s side. 

In his career since turning pro in 1992, Knowles went on to post a career singles record of 46-77, but he earned the majority of his money playing doubles and winning three of the four grand slam titles including the Australian Open in 2002, US Open in 2004 and French Open in 2007 with his long-time Canadian partner Daniel Nestor. Together, they also reached the final of Wimbledon in 2002.

While they didn’t secure the Wimbledon title, Knowles teamed up with Anna to capture the mixed doubles at Wimbledon in 2009, giving him a piece of history in the four majors.

While he had some memorable moments playing with Grand Bahamian Roger Smith in Davis Cup, Knowles also later teamed up with Merklein where they produced some magic for the Bahamas. 

Merklein, also teamed up with Knowles to play at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia where they reached the quarter-finals. 

Since announcing his retirement in 2012 at the US Open, Knowles and his wife, Dawn, have seen the growth and development of their three children in different sports.

Their oldest child, Graham, 18, is a freshman quarterback at Georgia Tech where he’s considered one of the top prospects to watch during the season.

Brody is sophomore in high school and is a starting wide receiver and a small forward in basketball, Presley, 13, is playing basketball and tennis.

“Graham preferred team sports, but now he actually said he wished he played tennis, but it;’s kind of too late for that,” Knowles said. “Brody is an excellent player in tennis. He had a chance, but he also likes team sports.

“Dawn and I don’t pressure them into tennis. Presley likes it a little bit, so she might stick with it. But whatever makes them happy. We don’t force them to do anything.”