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If the entrants in the USO mixed doubles had to play with their real-life spouses, how do you think you would do and who do you think would win overall?
Well, when I met my wife, she had never hit a tennis ball in her life. Since our honeymoon, she has fallen in love with the game. She is an average player and we would need to play well to have a chance to win some matches. Roger's wife was a very good tennis player, so of the current players they would have a chance.
How does playing Mens Doubles in a slam (to 5 sets) compare to the Tour's 2 sets + CTB?
It is completely different. In the slam, you really have to prepare yourself physically and mentally for a tough battle. On tour, the matches are so short that you are trying to be at your maximum from start to finish as there is no room for error.
There seem to be lots of upsets in Mens Doubles with singles pairings beating specialist doubles players. Do you think the doubles specialists can reverse this? If so, how long will it take? If not what could/should be done about it? Is there a future for doubles specialists?
Overall, the doubles specialists are still holding up there end of the deal. However, the singles guys are very good and are learning the game of doubles very quickly. They also bring a different brand of doubles to the court, staying back and rifling forehands and backhands, which makes it different and tricky for the doubles guys.
I'd really like to know what goes on at the Wimbledon champions' ball. What's the dinner menu like? What did you say in your speech? How long does it last? Who is there? Are the runners-up allowed to come as well? Any good gossip you'd like to pass along?
The ball is centered around the mens and womens singles champions. There is a roll call of all the Champions in all events. The food is very good and it lasts about 2 hours. I was asked to give a speech. The runner-ups are invited as well. However, very rarely does a runner-up show up. Not much gossip at the ball as it is normally very late on Sunday night and most competitors are drained physically and emotionally.
How does your Mixed title compare with your Men's Doubles achievements?
I have come close to winning a Mens Doubles title at Wimbledon but have not won one. So for me, this Wimbledon mixed title ranks right up there with my doubles Grand Slams.
Which type of personality thrives most in the doubles game?
I think you have to be very professional and passionate. It is important to show that passion in a positive way and elevate your partner's game.
Which is your favorite Grand Slam and why?
Wimbledon is my favorite. My mother is British and played at Wimbledon in the amateur days. I grew up watching Breakfast at Wimbledon. It is very special to play in front of the fans at Wimby.
If you hadn't been a tennis player which career would you have liked?
I would have loved to pursue a career in baseball. It is my absolute favorite sport and one that I think I could have excelled in. Would be nice to be on a team sport.
How many other Mark Knowlez'eeeez do you know around the world?
I only know one other and he is from the Bahamas as well.
How do you think that life and your tennis has changed since you had your kids?
My life has gotten incredibly richer. It is great to have a support system that includes my wife and our 2 boys. I think that my tennis has continued to evolve. I am inspired to play longer and at a high level so that I can share some of my career with the boys.
Did you enjoy taking part in the Wimbledon ball? Do you enjoy dressing up?
Yes, Wimbledon has always been my favorite tournament since I was a kid. So to finally have won a Wimbledon title and be part of the rich and storied tradition of Wimbledon was great. The ball was a very reflective moment. Yes I enjoy dressing up.
I have a double-pronged question: when you were a little boy, what inspired you to take up tennis and when you retire what do you want to do with the rest of your life?
Well, I was 4 yrs. old when I started to play tennis. My mom was a teaching pro, in the Bahamas, and she brought me everyday to the courts. I loved every minute of it. I grew up watching breakfast at Wimbledon and wanted to be like my idol Bjorn Borg.
I have some interesting offers for when I hang up my racket. I'm leaning towards something in the business world, but I've done some commentating and I enjoy that as well.
Which country that you've visited has been your favorite? And I know you've been to London a lot for the various tournaments there, but have you ever been up to Scotland? And if not, would you like to visit? :)
I would say Australia is my favorite country that I have visited. My wife has family in Scotland and loves it! I would love to go there to play some golf especially during the summer months when you have daylight until 9 or 10pm!
How do you think your participation and achievements in tennis have affected tennis in the Bahamas?
For such a small country with not much resources, we have some great athletes. I'm proud to play at the highest level of my sport and represent the Bahamas. I hope that the young kids growing up here will want to play tennis and see that with hard work and determination they can succeed too.
What's your favorite thing about the Christmas holidays?
Having kids is like Christmas everyday and during the holidays I love spending time with my family in the Bahamas out on the water swimming and spear fishing.
How did you team up with your webmaster?
My wife took his picture out at Indian Wells and he was very supportive of me. We feel so lucky to have someone like Matt running the website as he is super creative and talented and loves the game of doubles!
What do you think of the new tournament schedule including these new tournament formats? And do you think that anyone will seriously consider playing another clay court tournament like Hamburg after Wimbledon?
I like the new format and think that it will add a little structure and balance to the tour. Yes I think that players will play another clay court tourney after Wimbledon. There are so many good clay-courters and they love to mix it up.
Thinking back on your singles career, was there a time when you felt you were on the verge of making a huge impact in singles and did you ever consider playing only singles?
I did play singles for a number of years and made it into the top 100 in the world. Right when I felt that it might be time to make the next jump, I broke a rib in my back and was out for about 10 months. I also had a lot of problems cramping during matches and never really figured out why, even after seeing all the best specialists. When playing doubles, that wasn't an issue and I did very well early on. And because of that success early in doubles I had confidence and really enjoyed how different it was from singles(quicker and exciting)
Mark, I know you are friends with Jim Courier (one of my all-time faves). I was wondering if you ever drilled Jim with the ball either in a match or in practice. And what did he say or do? I would hope he laughed and didn't hit you back. But he probably hit you back at some point!
Jim was my Best Man at our wedding. I won my first Doubles Title with Jim. He is a tough competitor and when we'd practiced it was "all business'' so therefore we would hit each other and do whatever it took to try to beat each other.
Which of the 50 titles that you have won in your career was the most satisfying and why?
I would say winning the 2004 US Open. I had been in the final in 98 and had 2 match points and was not able to win and that stayed in my mind for a long time.
Mark, who inspired you most before you joined the circuit in either doubles or singles?
I would probably say that Jim Courier did. To watch him make it to the top and be so dedicated and professional was a great testament of what it takes to take your game to the highest level.
Do you think the rule changes have been beneficial or detrimental to the doubles game?
I think no-ad scoring is good for the game; I'm still not sold on the 3rd set tiebreaker as it really is a coin toss but we made the changes to shorten the doubles game so that the tournament directors would put us on Center Court and at better times. And at this stage in my career, it's better for my body-ha!
If you could change one tennis rule, which one would you change and why?
I would use no-ad scoring in singles. Shorten the match times so we can get some consistent TV coverage.
Given the history of tennis, which famous players of the past you would like to have played with?
To play with Bjorn Borg would have been epic. Would have loved to have played doubles with Johnny Mac. Also to play with Lew Hoad. All of the legends say that he was probably the greatest player of all time.
Have a question you'd like Mark to respond to?
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USEFUL LINKS
Mark's Facebook Fan Page
Head, Mark's Racquet Sponsor
K-Swiss, Mark's Clothing Sponsor
The Official Home Of The ATP World Tour
The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association
World TeamTennis
The Sacramento Capitals, Mark's Longtime WTT Team
The Home Of The UCLA Bruins
The Balmoral, Home Of The Mark Knowles Tennis Centre
TENNIS Magazine
PGA Tour Friend John Mallinger
Cute Tennis Stuff Apparel and Gifts
BAHAMIAN PUBLICATIONS
Bahamas B2B
BahamasTennis.com
The Bahamas Weekly
The Nassau Guardian
The Tribune
OUR FAVORITE PHOTOGRAPHERS
Ash Henderson Photography
Camerawork USA - Fred and Susan Mullane
Carlton Wade Photography
Mark Da Cunha
Matt Dunn Photography
DOUBLES PLAYERS WEBSITES
Jonas Bjorkman
Cara Black and Liezel Huber
Bob and Mike Bryan
Jeff Coetzee
Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski
Ross Hutchins
Oliver Marach
Max Mirnyi
Jamie Murray
Dick Norman
OTHER PLAYER SITES
Novak Djokovic
Roger Federer
Richard Gasquet
Ernests Gulbis
Lleyton Hewitt
Andy Murray
Rafael Nadal
Andy Roddick
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