Justin Gimelstob

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Justin Gimelstob : biography

January 26, 1977 –

In 2001, he had the best Grand Slam performance of his career, reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open with partner Scott Humphries. At the US Open, 5′ 9" Michal Tabara spat at Gimelstob after Gimelstob defeated him in five sets after what Tabara felt were too many (3) of Gimelstob’s injury timeouts for blisters in the 202 minute match that Gimelstob won 6–4, 3–6, 4–6, 4–6, 6–2. "Unless he grows about another foot by the time I get back to the locker room", the 6′ 5" Gimelstob said, "he’s in trouble."http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20040904/ai_n12807710 Tabara was fined $1,000 for unsportsmanlike behavior.

At the 2002 U.S. Open, Gimelstob was eliminated in the second round of the singles competition by No. 6 seed Andre Agassi in straight sets, 6–0, 6–1, 6–0. In doubles, he and partner Jeff Tarango reached the 2nd round before losing to Brian MacPhee and Nenad Zimonjić, 7–5, 2–6, 6–7 (5–7).

In February, 2003 he upset world # 13 Paradorn Srichaphan, 7–5 6–2, in San Jose. At Wimbledon in 2003, he competed in both the singles and doubles events. He upset No. 15 seed Arnaud Clément of France in the 2nd round 2–6, 6–3, 6–4, 6–7 (2–7), 6–1. In the third round, Gimelstob lost to Jonas Björkman of Sweden, 1–6, 3–6, 3–6. In September 2003, he won the International Series Gold tournament in Tokyo with Nicolas Kiefer as his partner. They beat Scott Humphries and Mark Merklein, 6–7, 6–3, 7–6.

At Wimbledon 2004, Gimelstob teamed up with his old friend Scott Humphries. The duo faced the dynamic Bryan brothers, ranked second, in the 2nd round. Gimelstob and his partner upset Bob and Mike Bryan 6–3, 3–6, 6–4. They lost to Mark Knowles and Daniel Nestor in the quarterfinals, 3–6, 2–6.

Gimelstob won two singles titles in 2004. In July, took Forest Hills, New York, beating Dušan Vemić 7–6 (7), 6–2 in the final. In September, he competed in a hard-court tournament in Beijing. He beat Florent Serra of France 6–2, 6–2 in the quarterfinals, and Alex Bogomolov Jr. 6–1, 6–3 in the final.

Gimelstob won both doubles titles as well at Forest Hills and Beijing in 2004. In China, he was paired with Graydon Oliver as they defeated Alex Bogomolov Jr. and Taylor Dent 4–6, 6–4, 7–6 (8–6) in the final. He won the Nashville hard court title in November 2004.

Gimelstob had a good run in the hard court tournament in Tallahassee, during April 2005, losing in the finals. Gimelstob faced 29th seed Nicolás Massú in the 2nd round of Wimbledon 2005 and upset the highly rated Chilean 6–3, 4–6, 7–6 (7–5), 7–6 (7–0). He was eliminated in the 3rd round by Lleyton Hewitt (seeded 3rd) 7–6 (7–5), 6–4, 7–5.

In 2006, Gimelstob reached his first ATP Tour Singles Final at The Hall of Fame Championships in Newport, Rhode Island, losing to Mark Philippoussis. In March 2006 he defeated world # 39 Feliciano López, 7–5. 6–3, in Indian Wells. In May he defeated world # 32 Nicolás Massú, 2–6, 7–6 (7–3), 6–4, in the Portugal, and in July he defeated world # 36 Andy Murray, 6–1, 7–6 (4), in the semifinals at Newport, Rhode Island.

In September 2006 he had back surgery to remove two large disc fragments that were cutting off the nerves in his right leg. The injury was so bad that he had begun to lose feeling in his right leg.

In June 2007, Gimelstob lost a contentious 6–4 vote of the ATP Players Council in his attempt to replace Andre Agassi’s manager, Perry Rogers, on the men’s tour’s 3-man board of directors, and to become the first active player on the board.

Gimelstob retired from professional tennis in the fall of 2007. In his final singles major, he was defeated by Andy Roddick in the first round of the 2007 U.S. Open, 7–6, 6–3, 6–3. He also played doubles in the 2007 US open. After retirement, he pursued a career in sports commentary, working for Tennis Channel.

In 2008 Gimelstob joined Washington, D.C.’s first pro tennis team, the Washington Kastles. Also in 2008, Gimelstob ranted on a Washington D.C. sports radio program about Anna Kournikova, calling her a "bitch" and a "douche." He also judged other female tennis players based on their looks.

Jewish heritage

Gimelstob is Jewish, Asked in 2003, in the wake of a Vanity Fair magazine article about increased anti-Semitism in France, whether he had been the brunt of anti-Semitism while he was in France for the French Open, he responded that he was uncertain. "They’re so impolite and rude in general, you don’t know if they think I’m Jewish or whether I’m just another American tourist".

He was entered into the Southern California Jewish Hall of Fame in 2005. He was inducted into the MetroWest Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in New Jersey in 2006.

He said he was proud to be a Jewish role model. He added: “When I played, I got a lot of support from the Jewish community. People identify me as a Jewish athlete. It’s a strong responsibility, and I appreciate that.”

Davis Cup

Gimelstob played for the US Davis Cup team in 1998 and 2001.