Justin Gimelstob: ATP to decide on future after court sentencing
Justin Gimelstob’s future will be decided by the ATP after the leading tennis administrator was sentenced for assault in Los Angeles on Monday.
Gimelstob, a retired two-time mixed doubles Grand Slam winner, was handed three years probation and 60 days community service after pleading “no contest” to a battery charge.
The American is one of three player representatives on the ATP board.
Gimelstob, 42, has also worked as a coach and TV commentator.
An ATP statement read: “The decision was taken to let the judicial process run its course before any judgement was made on his future, so with that process complete this is now a subject for review by the board and/or the player council.
“As a related matter, the election for the role of the next Americas player representative on the ATP board – the position currently held by Gimelstob – will take place as scheduled on Tuesday, 14 May, in Rome.”
The players’ council, led by Novak Djokovic, has the power to remove him, but would need the consent of at least six of its 10 members.
Wimbledon organisers the All-England Lawn Tennis Club announced that the American would not be invited to participate in the invitational events at the 2019 championships, or be permitted to attend the Royal Box.
Former friend Randall Kaplan alleged that early in the evening of 31 October, Gimelstob “punched him in the head and face more than 50 times” in front of Kaplan’s pregnant wife Madison and two-year-old daughter.
Madison went on to have a miscarriage, which the couple believe was a result of the stress of the attack.
Gimelstob, who was also compelled by the court to attend anger management classes, partnered Venus Williams to victory in the Australian and French Opens of 1998 and twice reached the men’s doubles quarter-finals at Wimbledon.
“Justin Gimelstob pled no contest to the charge filed against him and the Judge, after evaluating the evidence, exercised his discretion and reduced the charge to a misdemeanor,” said his legal team in a statement.
“Justin did this to move on with his professional life and focus on his family.”