From:TheBahamasWeekly.com
Mark Knowles Retires: One Door Closes, Another Door Opens
By Matt Fitzgerald
Sep 7, 2012 - 3:59:29 PM
© Fred MullaneKnowles holds son Graham after playing the 2009 US Open final with Mahesh Bhupathi.
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New York, USA - Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the telephone, famously said,
“When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long
and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones
which open for us."
Mark Knowles
defies Bell’s quote. The 41-year-old has been peering into a second
door the past two seasons. As his family grew, both in size and in
priority, the Bahamian embraced the door in front of him with open arms,
decreasing the significance of his career ambitions. Opting to play a
limited schedule in 2012 to spend more time with his family, Knowles
decided to complete the chapter on his playing days at the US Open, announcing his retirement from professional tennis following a career spanning more than 20 years on the ATP World Tour.
“Tennis is one of the greatest sports in the world. It teaches you
so much about life,” reflects Knowles. “It has given me so much and I am
sure that I will always be linked to the great game in some capacity. I
would like to thank all of my great partners and opponents from over
the years for the library of memories. I can still remember qualifying
for my first ATP singles event in Indianapolis in 1988 like it was
yesterday. It was cool to be an ATP player then and it has only become
cooler. I wish all of my colleagues continued success and I will be
following your progress in between changing diapers!”
While Knowles didn’t write the perfect ending to his story on court
in New York with a trophy to take home, he has composed the perfect
beginning to his sequel as the dad who wants to do it all. Married since
2003 to wife Dawn and father to sons Graham (soon to be 7) and Brody
(4), and daughter Presley (1), Knowles has always been involved in the
daily life of his children, whether he’s coaching Graham’s peewee
football team, picking Brody up from preschool or putting Presley to
bed. It’s those everyday activities that simplified his decision to hang
up his racquet.
“It has been an incredible journey and one that I look back on with
no regrets, except for maybe a few match outcomes. I still have a love
for the game and enjoy the thrill of competition and feel that I could
still win a few more titles,” says Knowles. “However, the title that has
become the most important to me over the last few years is that of
being the best husband and father to my family. I have truly been
blessed and want to shift my focus full time to my wife and kids. I used
to think that there was no greater joy than winning big tournaments but
then I had kids and realised that this is the greatest joy of all.”
The
Nassau, Bahamas native completed his career with a 744-380 doubles
record, highlighted by reaching 13 Grand Slam finals. He captured titles
at the Australian Open in 2002, US Open in 2004 and Roland Garros in 2007, all with Daniel Nestor and the 2009 Wimbledon
mixed doubles crown with Anna-Lena Groenefeld. Knowles also won the
season-ending championship in 2007 with Nestor and was a five-time
Olympian.
“He’s got unbelievable doubles instincts. He has great returns,
especially on the backhand, with one of the best one-handers in the
history of doubles. He has unbelievable feel around the net,” Nestor
says. “I like to think some of the creativity I’ve learned over the
years comes from playing with him for so long. He really taught me a lot
about net play and doubles instincts.
“I’m really appreciative because he was already established when we
started playing together. He took me under his wing. We hit it off from
the beginning and had some great results. We had a long career
together.”
Mahesh Bhupathi, who reached two Grand Slam finals at the Australian Open and US Open
with Knowles in 2009 says, “What Mark has achieved on the court speaks
for itself but his friendships off court and the respect he has earned
from all his peers speaks volumes about the kind of guy he is. I for one
will miss him and wish him, Dawn and kids nothing but the best always.”
Max Mirnyi,
a longtime competitor and friend, reminisced about Knowles’ days as
both a singles and doubles player. “We've had so many battles over the
years on the doubles court but very few people know that Mark denied my
first Grand Slam appearance in singles when he beat in the qualification
of Australian Open in the mid '90s. At that moment I felt that ‘this guy is a special player.’
“In a later stage of our careers, I had the great pleasure of
teaming up with Mark, already then a legendary doubles player. While his
regular doubles partner was injured, we shared a wonderful winning
experience at a tournament in Doha during that time. I display that
trophy picture with Mark at my house among other Grand Slam trophy
moments, simply because I am proud to have had Mark as my partner. As a
family man, I can only share the same joy as Mark, spending many days
together on the road and seeing our wonderful families grow.”
Knowles ascended to the No. 1 ATP Doubles Ranking on 24 June 2002,
spending a total of 65 weeks atop the chart for 12th place on the
all-time list, and finished as the year-end No. 1 in 2002 and 2004. He
ended the season ranked inside the Top 10 on 11 occasions and along with
Nestor in 2002 and 2004, was named ATP Doubles Team of Year. From 2002
to 2004, Knowles served as Vice President on the ATP Player Council.
“At one point in his career he led the ATP Player Council during
most volatile time for men’s doubles,” states Mirnyi. “The reason why
the game of doubles is growing today is widely due to his great efforts
as a leader to help unite the player body, tournament representatives,
sponsors, TV and Tour officials to find that optimal decision for the
game of doubles to live on. As a result, the shorter and more dynamic
score format that was adapted for doubles has proven to be the most
exciting change in modern tennis history.”
This season, Knowles lifted his 55th trophy in San Jose with Xavier Malisse,
giving him at least one doubles title in 19 of the past 20 years.
Furthermore, he became the first player in their 40s to win a title
since John McEnroe achieved the feat in 2006. Knowles’ best major result came at Roland Garros, where he and Malisse advanced to the third round, falling to Knowles’ rivals Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan.
“Mark's a legend. He's one of the best players of all time,” Bob Bryan
declares. “I think Knowles/Nestor have got to be in the top five
greatest doubles teams to play. [Knowles has an] incredible backhand
return in the deuce court and scary hands. His drop volley would always
catch you by surprise. He's a great guy.”
With a vast knowledge of the game and adeptness in scouting players, Knowles was sought out by Mardy Fish
at Indian Wells, who offered his former partner an opportunity to coach
him at the tournaments they would both be competing in. The two played
together full-time in 2010, triumphing at the ATP World Tour 500 event
in Washington to win their second team title and the friendship they
built throughout their years on tour made Knowles a perfect addition to
join Fish’s team.
“Mark has one of the most respected tennis minds in the sport,” says Justin Gimelstob, who reached the Atlanta final and Wimbledon
third round with Knowles in 2000. “He played at the highest level and
understands the modern game. He is ideally suited to be a top tier
coach.”
Whether coaching is his next calling, or expanding his charitable
endeavors in the Bahamas is next on his list to conquer, Knowles will be
best remembered by the impression he left on his sport. Through his
cat-like reflexes at the net, inside-out backhand return and exuberant
personality, the doubles alley will forever miss Knowles’ grace.
“In closing, I would like to thank everyone who has supported me
throughout my career, and there have been many! None more important than
my parents and my siblings. I will miss the game!”
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