04/20/24
August 29, 2007
Justin Gimelstob Leaves Tennis as One of the Greatest (Interviews): At the end of his final U.S. Open match, a three-set defeat at the hands of buddy Andy Roddick Tuesday night, retiring journeyman Justin Gimelstob, 30, grabbed a microphone and interviewed Roddick at center court in front of the crowd. "What do you think was the key to the match," he asked Roddick, pausing for effect, "besides you being way better than me?" The match also featured a Gimelstob rant in which he called the chair ump "unpatriotic" and was rewarded with four successive first serves.
Good on Gimelstob, I say. Go use your exit from the game as introduction to a career in tennis broadcasting.
posted by THX-1138 at 04:09 PM on August 29, 2007
Never heard of the guy, but he sounds like a good chap.
posted by vito90 at 04:25 PM on August 29, 2007
I had no idea that Gimelstob had such a delightful sense of humor. What a wonderful person he is to be able to put his sport into it's proper perspective; that is, a fantasy world.
posted by Howard_T at 11:09 AM on August 30, 2007
Justin Gimelstob is the balls. Always liked him. Look forward to seeing/hearing him from the booth, where he should undoubtedly end up residing. Not as a replacement for either McEnroe or Carillo, but perhaps as a Kornheiser-esque 3rd man in kinda thing.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 03:45 PM on August 30, 2007
Watched this the other night, it was hilarious. Roddick even tried to toss in a couple jokes while being interviewed by Gimelstob. Then he finally gave up, grabbed the mic so he could ask the questions saying "No one wants to hear me they want to hear you." Apparently the two are good friends and talk often, and Roddick joked about how hard it was so hard to ignore Gimelstob for several days and also be the tough guy in the lockerroom. Quite a moment.
posted by SummersEve at 07:36 PM on August 30, 2007
Thanks for posting this. I watched the match last night and it was by far one of the most entertaining interviews I've seen. Tried to find a video of the interview which gives it full feeling to post earlier to no avail. On a side note, damn was Roddick on with his serve. He was blasting it as well as I've seen him in a while, even if the rest of his game was (as usual) pedestrian.