Jessica Pegula names Mark Knowles and Mark Merklein as new coaches

Mark Knowles (Robbie Mendelson, Wikimedia Commons)

According to tennisuptodate.com on Wednesday, Jessica Pegula of the United States has decided to hire two coaches to replace David Witt, who she released on February 5. The new coaches are both from the Bahamas, as Pegula is bringing Mark Knowles and Mark Merklein on board.

Knowles is 52 years of age, and is a four-time grand slam champion in doubles, winning each grand slam event once. He won the 2002 Australian Open, 2004 United States Open, and 2007 French Open in men’s doubles with Canadian Daniel Nestor, and the 2009 Wimbledon mixed doubles title with Anna-Lena Gronefeld of Germany. In the 2002 Australian Open men’s doubles final, Knowles and Nestor beat Michael Llodra and Fabrice Santoro of France 7-6, 6-3. In the 2004 United States Open men’s doubles final, Knowles and Nestor beat Leander Paes of India and David Riki of the Czech Republic 6-3, 6-3. In the 2007 French Open men’s doubles final, Knowles and Nestor beat the Czech duo of Lukas Dlouhy and Pavel Vizner, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. In the 2009 Wimbledon mixed doubles final, Knowles and Gronefeld beat Clara Black of Zimbabwe and Paes in the final, 7-5, 6-3.

The fact that Knowles has won doubles titles on all surfaces had possible appeal to Pegula, who is still looking to reach her first grand slam singles semifinal despite being ranked fifth in the world. Knowles has formerly coached 2004 Olympic Games silver medalist Mardy Fish of the United States and Canadian Milos Raonic, the 2016 Wimbledon finalist.

Merklein was also a doubles specialist, who reached the third round of the 2002 Australian Open with James Blake of the United States. He has coaching experience at the University of Florida.

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