Is the partnership of Bahamian Mark Knowles and Daniel Nestor really over?
That is the question circulating around the Association of Tennis Professionals circuit these days.
Vicky Knowles, a former great Bahamian champion in her own right, and the matriarch of the Mark Knowles successful career, told the Journal on Monday that her son has approached the situation in a "realistic fashion."
"Mark well understands what a great combination they have been, one of the best in history. After Roland Garros (scene of the pair’s French Open Championship earlier this year) Dan had a chance to back off the decision. But, he told Mark that he had committed to his new partner. Mark asked him about the 13 years they had spent together on the court and the decision was really Dan’s," said Vicky.
She informs though that her son is taking the matter in good stride and she attributed Mark’s great play while the two were winning the recent Doubles Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai to the Bahamian swinger "wanting to show what he can still do."
"I suppose Mark just wanted to show the world that nothing has happened to his game. He was determined. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him play better," said the proud mom.
She and Bahamians across this archipelago have much to be thankful to Mark for the positive image he has given the country during his 15 years on the professional tour.
As for the possible coming together at some time in the future on the courts for the partners, Nestor himself, although the catalyst for the change, is not sure.
Following the great triumph in the finale of the Masters Cup, in which they defeated US Open champs Simon Aspelin and Julian Knowle 6-2,6-3, Nestor seemed a bit uncertain of what the future might bring.
Asked pointedly by a reporter, according to the ATP website, Nestor responded:
"There’s always second thoughts. Whenever you make a decision, you know, nothing’s ever…for me at least, I’m not a great decision person. You know, right now we have different partners heading into next year. But, I’m not going to start thinking about the future or make predictions on this and that. I don’t know. I don’t know what more to say. Seems like every time I have said something about this subject I’ve gotten myself in trouble, so I’ll just leave it at that," said Nestor.
The quandary is understandable to many. He has in fact left the door open.
Together the pair have won 40 tournaments, a figure alone that puts them right up there with the best. Included are three of the grand slams (2002 Australian Open, 2004 US Open and the 2007 French Open). The Masters Cup in Shanghai was icing on the cake.
Ironically Nestor’s decision to split came it is understood, because the pair had not won a tournament in 13 tries going into 2007. Actually though the Masters Cup enabled them to have what could perhaps be considered their greatest season on the circuit. A grand slam and the Masters in the same year form the kind of dynamic combination of achievements that has likely cemented Tennis Hall of Fame status for Knowles and Nestor.
Knowles meanwhile, according to Vicky, is sitting back, enjoying the success of 2007 and looking forward to his celebrity tournament scheduled Friday, December 7 at the Atlantis Tennis Centre.
As always, the Mark Knowles Celebrity Invitational will showcase some of the best players in the world. World fourth-ranked player, Sebastian Crosjean of France, leads the pack. Also set to compete are Xavier Malisse, Mike and Bob Bryan, Jim Courier, Mark Merklein, Ryan Sweeting, and Jamea Jackson.
Sweeting is the former US Open Junior Champion who once competed for The Bahamas. Merklein teamed with Knowles to form a successful Davis Cup pair for The Bahamas, before he retired. The event will be free of charge for young children and students.
- Austin DWI - New York DWI