Gimelstob talks the talk, walks the walk
Animated freshman tennis player has a style all his own
By Sarah Harrison
Anyone who has watched the UCLA men’s tennis team this year
knows who the excitable Justin Gimelstob is.
Making the decision to go to college instead of immediately
joining the pro tour, Gimelstob has contributed mightily to the
success of the Bruins. He has attracted a lot of attention, not
only for his play, but for his on-court antics in the generally
sedate world of tennis.
"By nature I am pretty outgoing and aggressive," Gimelstob said.
"I’m not really subdued in anything that I do. I am pretty vocal,
and I go out after what I want. That is the way that I am, that was
the way that I was raised and that is the way the people around me
have always been.
"Tennis is a fun sport to watch, and it is a growing sport in
the country. My philosophy is that people should be more into it,
and get more involved, because it is not like the old-days, where
people had to stay quiet all the time, wear long pants and play
with wooden rackets. The game has developed and evolved, and I
think my attitude epitomizes that philosophy."
While Gimelstob’s perfor-
mances are louder and more animated than most, the ending is
usually the same: a win. He has worked his way up to the No. 2
singles spot and plays the No. 2 doubles position with Eric Taino.
Opponents are wary of him, as he holds an impressive 15-3 season
singles record and, in doubles with Taino, an 11-3 record.
"His antics don’t give me much trouble," Stanford’s Paul
Goldstein said. "It is his playing that bothers me."
"I may be really intense on the outside," Gimelstob said. "But
on the inside I am usually very calm, very focused. When my head’s
like a pinball on the inside and I am acting crazy on the outside,
then I know that I am in trouble. There has to be some sort of
balance. Usually, inside, I am very subdued and relaxed, and the
outside is what gets me physically riled up."
Gimelstob’s resounding voice cannot only be found on his court
during his match, but can be heard as he supports his teammates on
the sidelines.
"He is very intense and always pumping everyone up," team member
Karl Pazdernik said. "He sets the biggest example with his work
ethic and overall love for the game. He is a team player."
Gimelstob brings impressive credentials to the team, including
being a member of the U. S. national team and participating in the
Australian, French and U.S. Opens. He did not think, however, that
he would be able to make an immediate impact on the pro tour, so he
looked at his college options.
"Justin was very close to not going to school at all," UCLA head
coach Billy Martin said. "He thought it over, and came to UCLA to
get two to three years of finishing touches. I think he made the
right choice."
Gimelstob has found that he has gained a lot by being a member
of UCLA’s team.
"I loved playing with teams," Gimelstob said. "That is one of
the reasons I came to college. Tennis is so individual, that it is
nice to be involved with a bunch of guys and the camaraderie and
friendships that go with being part of a team.
"The national team provides me with a lot of good opportunities,
but it is not the same camaraderie at all. We all compete under the
same federation, but they are all individual tournaments and
everyone looks out for their best interests. Doing well in the
tournaments is pretty prestigious, but I get the same satisfaction
when our team performs well. I have the same sort of pride."
This summer he will go with the U.S. National Team to play in
the French Open in Paris, Wimbledon in England and the U.S. Open in
New York. First, however, he wants to see the Bruins go to the
national championships in Athens, Ga., in the middle of May. So,
for the time being, Gimelstob can always be found cheering for his
teammates. The pride and respect that he has in them is evident.
Looking back, he is happy about his decision to come to UCLA.
"I chose UCLA because I got to know Billy (Martin)," Gimelstob
said. "I respect what he did in tennis, I respect him as a coach
and as a good person. Plus UCLA has great facilities, a great
tradition, a great team, a great athletic program as a whole and is
known as a great school.
"I have found that I love being with the team and going out with
the guys. Basically, I love everything."