Merklein, 37, joined the USTA Player Development staff in 2006 after competing on the ATP tour from 1994-2005. As a professional, Merklein achieved a career-high doubles ranking of No. 35 and captured four doubles titles. He was also a quarterfinalist at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.

Merklein had a very illustrious amateur career as well. He played collegiately at the University of Florida where he was a four-time All-American. After capturing the NCAA doubles title in 1993, he won the NCAA singles title in 1994 and was subsequently named the NCAA’s player of the year. Merklein left the school as the all-time leader in combined victories with 190, and was inducted into the University of Florida Hall of Fame in 2005.

As a junior, Merklein won the USTA Boys’ 16s National Championship in 1988 and next year won the boys’ 18s titles at the Orange Bowl and the USTA National Clay Court Championships.