More Gimelstob Unplugged
Anyone could have seen Justin Gimelstob's career in the media from miles away.
Two years ago at the U.S. Open, the former UCLA All-American was recruited to do columns for Sports Illustrated's website. The first one he scrawled opened with:
I think "Nobody's safe" is an appropriate title for my first blog entry. As long as you enjoy my opinions and insights, I am going to give them to you. Some might be controversial, some might be humorous, but all will be honest and, hopefully, thought-provoking. With that said, my first target is ... the women on tour.
He then went on to write about how dysfunctional the women's tour is, especially when events between them and the men overlap and there's too much bickering about the lack of time on the practice courts.
However, one of the benefits of having the women around is the ever-increasing desire for each and every young sassy player trying to outdo -- or in this case, under-dress -- the next.
My prediction? Pretty soon the WTA practice courts, and maybe even the match courts, will resemble a women's volleyball court, with g-strings and bikinis being the only logical next step. Not that I'm complaining, or even think that wouldn't be a valuable marketing tool. But I'd like to recommend to players both female and male, and even coaches out on the practice courts: If you resemble a beached whale, keep your gear on!
Lindsay Davenport responded by calling him the "poster boy" for superficial, physically judgmental men everywhere.
Can't beat that for free publicity.
Since then, Gimelstob has done some work for The Tennis Channel and stayed in the TV spotlight, even if his game hasn't been what it once was back in the late '90s. The final episode at the U.S. Open, on the USA Network, was a classy way for Gimelstob to end things, as this clip, including the post-match interview, shows:
Although he lost to Roddick in that first-round match, Gimelstob went to the quarterfinals in mixed doubles (with the attractive Ashley Harkleroad) and the third round of the men's doubles (with Amer Delic) at the U.S. Open, so the New Jersey native could stretch out his stay in New York a few more days.
"Self-depreciation has been a good thing for me the last couple of weeks," says Gimelstob, calling this a bittersweet moment in his life.
Expanding on the Q-and-A in today's Daily News, some more of what Gimelstob has to offer as a media guy:
Question: Do you take John McEnroe seriously?
Answer: Sure.
Question: A rule question: According to the USTA rule book, 21.4: How much time may elapse after the moment a ball goes out of play at the end of a point until the serve is struck to start the next point?
Answer: 25 seconds. (Wrong, the book says the time should not exceed 20, unless a player has to chase a stray ball). OK, then it got lowered. It used to be 25.
Question: Who do you think you could turn into a decent tennis player?
Answer: Probably Tiger Woods. He could be great at anything he wants to be.
Question: Hottest player on the pro tour, male or female?
Answer: Maria Kirilenko (pictured). Beautiful face. Great body.
Question: Who wins the WNBA final, Phoenix or Detroit?
Answer: Detroit. Always go with Laimbeer.
Question: Your favorite nickname?
Answer: Sticks. That’s what my legs look like (he's 6-foot-5 and 195 pounds)
Question: Greatest thing about tennis you’d never consider changing?
Answer: The importance of the Grand Slams. When you look back at your career, it’s what you’re gauged on. It’s the ultimate sign of greatness.
Question: The one thing you’d change about tennis in a second?
Answer: The Davis Cup should be every couple of years, not every year. It’s never made sense to me. Not like my Davis Cup experience has ever been questioned. I helped get one captain (Tom Gullickson) fired after I lost in doubles in Italy (in the ’98 semifinals). Then I helped Roger Federer assert his greatness when he swept us in Switzerland (a first-round loss in 2001).
Question: Karl Dorrell: Should he stay or go?
Answer: This year will determine it.
Question: Favorite Willy Wonka candy?
Answer: Everlasting Gobstopper
What else would you expect from a Gimelstob?
For more reading:
==A recap of his final match against Roddick from the Associated Press.
==John Madden has an opinion about Gimelstob's TV future, from the New York Post.
==A blog post by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel's veteran writer Charles Bricker about Gimelstob's decision to retire.
==A look back at Gimelstob's playing career from the Daily Record of Morris County, N.J.