Mark Merklein (born June 28, 1972) is a Bahamian former college and professional tennis player. He played for the Bahamas Davis Cup team from 1999 to 2004.
Merklein was born in Freeport, Bahamas. He grew up in Coral Springs, Florida, and attended St. Thomas Aquinas High School in nearby Fort Lauderdale. Playing for the St. Thomas Raiders high school tennis team, he won six Class 3A high school titles – two at No. 2 singles, one at No. 1 singles, and three at No. 1 doubles.Dave Heeren, " Every Little Step He Takes Brings Mark Merklein Closer To His Goal Of Tennis Stardom," Sun-Sentinel (July 10, 1991). Retrieved July 26, 2014.
Merklein accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he played for the Florida Gators men's tennis team in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Southeastern Conference (SEC) competition from 1991 to 1994. As a Gator, he won the NCAA national championship doubles title with partner David Blair in 1993. The following year, Merklein won the NCAA national championship singles title in 1994 in dominating fashion, losing only one set. Merklein was a four-time All-American, a three-time All-SEC selection, and the SEC Player of the Year in 1994. He was inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame as a "Gator Great" in 2005.F Club, Hall of Fame, Gator Greats. Retrieved December 18, 2014." Nine Hall of Fame Inductees Announced ," GatorZone.com (September 30, 2004). Retrieved July 26, 2014.
Merklein turned professional in 1994, and won four doubles titles during his career. He won matches at all four Majors. On July 7, 1997, he reached his highest singles ranking of world No. 160, and reached his highest doubles ranking on January 12, 2004, when he became world No. 37.
On May 24, 2013, Merklein was hired as the University of Florida men's tennis assistant coach." Gator Great Mark Merklein Hired as Men's Tennis Assistant Coach," GatorZone.com (May 24, 2013). Retrieved May 24, 2013.
Merklein currently resides in Gainesville, Florida.
Grand Slam tournament performance timelines
Singles Tournament19941995199619971998Australian OpenAAAAAFrench OpenAAAAQ2WimbledonAAAAQ3US Open1RQ1Q2Q11R
Doubles
Tournament1993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005Australian OpenAAAAAA2R1RAA3R1RAFrench OpenAAAAA2R2RAA1R1R1R2RWimbledonAAAAA1R2RA1R2R1R1RQ2US Open2R1R1R1R1R2RAQ21R1R1R1RA
See also
List of Florida Gators tennis players List of University of Florida Olympians List of University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame members
References
External links