How did Bimblestob ever get so much power behind the scenes to begin with?

[jeffmccrae]

So much talk lately if Justin Gimblestob should be ostracized from the tour altogether, and removed from any position of power in the ATP. To that (like anyone sane) I say absolutely.

However beyond that, the topic of Gimblestob makes me think of something frankly I have always wondered about. How exactly did this guy ever get into such a position of authority and power in the first place? A formerly incredible mediocre pro player, barely a weak journeyman on tour with a career high ranking of #64 or something, mostly a mediocre doubles specialist. A poorly spoken and not particularly well educated man. Not someone with skills or background in business or administration, like people who often rise in the ATP (atleast those who either dont have much tennis background, or were not particularly successful like Justin). A homophobe, bigot, and at times racist. And as we see now, a bully with anger issues. Who on earth has gotten him to this position.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

 

[r2473]

So much talk lately if Justin Gimblestob should be ostracized from the tour altogether, and removed from any position of power in the ATP. To that (like anyone sane) I say absolutely.

However beyond that, the topic of Gimblestob makes me think of something frankly I have always wondered about. How exactly did this guy ever get into such a position of authority and power in the first place? A formerly incredible mediocre pro player, barely a weak journeyman on tour with a career high ranking of #64 or something, mostly a mediocre doubles specialist. A poorly spoken and not particularly well educated man. Not someone with skills or background in business or administration, like people who often rise in the ATP (atleast those who either dont have much tennis background, or were not particularly successful like Justin). A homophobe, bigot, and at times racist. And as we see now, a bully with anger issues. Who on earth has gotten him to this position.

You forgot misogynist

I hear he also doesn’t brush his teeth 3 times daily. Unforgivable

 

[BenC]

same, I just remember him as a punching bag for Sampras/Agassi then Roddick.

 

[jeffmccrae]

same, I just remember him as a punching bag for Sampras/Agassi then Roddick.

That is an insult to the quality punching bags like Berdych or Ferrer. Gimelstob is nowhere near good enough to be called a punching bag for those guys, IIRC he barely ever got far enough in draws to play them.

 

[graycrait]

Is it possible that tennis fans are too complacent, complicit or kept in the dark?

 

[jeffmccrae]

Is it possible that tennis fans are too complacent, complicit or kept in the dark?

Yes. As are many in the sport itself. This exact question I am asking now, is one many more people should have been asking a lot sooner. It is sad it took a violent attack that finally has his position in the sport called into question, to have more people finally wondering "how the heck did this guy get in that spot in the first place."

 

[Your Hero]

It's who you know.

 

[graycrait]

Yes. As are many in the sport itself.

I know this will sound extreme but I think there are too many "gangsters" involved in pro sports (bicycling comes to mind for some reason). Probably enough "Al Capone types" like from former Soviet blocs but also those who have been "validated" by financially successfully dancing along the lines of legality like Trump. I won't even mention Asian communist corruption. Maybe it is better to watch two 6 yr olds joyously swatting tennis balls or maybe me and some other over 60 yr old who measure smack talking more important over actual points won?

 

[asifallasleep]

So much talk lately if Justin Gimblestob should be ostracized from the tour altogether, and removed from any position of power in the ATP. To that (like anyone sane) I say absolutely.

However beyond that, the topic of Gimblestob makes me think of something frankly I have always wondered about. How exactly did this guy ever get into such a position of authority and power in the first place? A formerly incredible mediocre pro player, barely a weak journeyman on tour with a career high ranking of #64 or something, mostly a mediocre doubles specialist. A poorly spoken and not particularly well educated man. Not someone with skills or background in business or administration, like people who often rise in the ATP (atleast those who either dont have much tennis background, or were not particularly successful like Justin). A homophobe, bigot, and at times racist. And as we see now, a bully with anger issues. Who on earth has gotten him to this position.

This sounds like a description of Trump, lol. Anyway, you have to realise that in business, no matter the industry, the most successful guys at the very top of are the same ilk. They are bullies and they get the job done at all costs. Niceness is not a required trait.

 

[Deon Sanders]

Because he was beneficial to the members of the ATP

The people that he was chosen by

Its not that hard

One can be good at something and bad at something else.

 

[jeffmccrae]

This sounds like a description of Trump, lol. Anyway, you have to realise that in business, no matter the industry, the most successful guys at the very top of are the same ilk. They are bullies and they get the job done at all costs. Niceness is not a required trait.

Yes, but I do not even wonder how Trump, jerk and all, gets so far. He is rich, extremely smart (well in some ways), a master manipulator, and a super successful businessman. None of those things are true of Gimelstob AFAIK, except maybe the manipulator part to a much more minor degree than Trump. That is why his stature and power is amazing, I hate Trump, but he is a winner even if a jerk of a human being. How Gimelstob arose to such power, after such a forgettable tennis career, and with seemingly no real skill set in business, administration, anything, is beyond comprehension.

If you compare him to Trump he is all the awful things, and some additional ones, without hardly any of the traits that you realize make Trump successful (including the lucky aspects like being born into super wealth, I have heard Justin has a wealthy dad, but obviously nothing like the Trumps).

 

[jeffmccrae]

Because he was beneficial to the members of the ATP

The people that he was chosen by

Its not that hard

One can be good at something and bad at something else.

How is he beneficial? What positive things has he done? I certainly have not heard of anything.

 

[jeffmccrae]

I know this will sound extreme but I think there are too many "gangsters" involved in pro sports (bicycling comes to mind for some reason). Probably enough "Al Capone types" like from former Soviet blocs but also those who have been "validated" by financially successfully dancing along the lines of legality like Trump. I won't even mention Asian communist corruption. Maybe it is better to watch two 6 yr olds joyously swatting tennis balls or maybe me and some other over 60 yr old who measure smack talking more important over actual points won?

Yes, very true. I could see Justin Gimbelstob being a Lance Pharmstrong type, but without any of the success, greatness, or understanding that is easily understandable to sociopath Lance and to how he acquired that power.

 

[Luka888]

I assume the OP is very young. Justin was a very likeable player. One of those guys you want to have a beer with. So many players loved him. The crowd loved him. That is an answer to your question. It's very simple.

What he did is stupid but ... there is more to it.

 

[Luka888]

Yes, very true. I could see Justin Gimbelstob being a Lance Pharmstrong type, but without any of the success, greatness, or understanding that is easily understandable to sociopath Lance and to how he acquired that power.

blah, blah, blah ... Lance was something but has nothing to do with Justin. Completely different thing. Justin actually has very good people skills. Again, I'm not defending him but you need to look at the bigger picture.

Lance, I do agree, is a sociopath and the very evil one. I used to watch cycling but Lance and many other ones just killed it. I used to admire Lance so much and then all of that crap happened. I was so disappointed. I don't watch that sport any more. Doping is wrong.

 

[Deon Sanders]

blah, blah, blah ... Lance was something but has nothing to do with Justin. Completely different thing. Justin actually has very good people skills. Again, I'm not defending him but you need to look at the bigger picture.

Lance, I do agree, is a sociopath and the very evil one. I used to watch cycling but Lance and many other ones just killed it. I used to admire Lance so much and then all of that crap happened. I was so disappointed. I don't watch that sport any more. Doping is wrong.

Its pretty obvious Gimelstob was very good at people skills

He has gotten every single name brand US tennis player and various international players male/female to take part in his charity tennis stuff for many many years

Many of the top US players both men and women have considered him a "good friend". Many international players too.

Its not like he just came out of nowhere. And none of this has anything to do with some misdemeanor assault.

 

[Tshooter]