ZCZC
BSP-03
TENNIS-ATP-GBR-USA-MURRAY-GIMELSTOB
Murray calls on Gimelstob to stand down after assault case
LONDON, April 28, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Andy Murray has become the first leading
player to call on Justin Gimelstob to quit his role on the Association of
Tennis Professionals board after the American was sentenced following assault
charges.
Gimelstob, himself a former professional tennis player, pleaded no contest
and was given three years’ probation and 60 hours of community service by a
Los Angeles court on Monday.
Despite the verdict, Gimelstob remains on the ATP board, where his allies
reportedly include world number one Novak Djokovic, and appears keen to
extend his role as a tennis administrator.
But British tennis great Murray, a three-time Grand Slam champion and
double Olympic gold medallist, told the UK’s Sunday Telegraph newspaper: “I
don’t see how, with everything that has gone on, how it’s possible for him to
remain in a position of authority or management at the ATP right now.”
Gimelstob, 41, was in court on felony battery charges following an
incident in October last year that saw him accused of attacking former friend
Randall Kaplan while the venture capitalist, his wife and their two-year-old
daughter were trick-or-treating on Halloween.
Kaplan had sought a restraining order against Gimelstob following the
attack, alleging the former tennis star had struck him more than 50 times
while threatening to kill him.
Gimelstob was also ordered to undergo 52 weeks of anger management
classes.
Following Monday’s verdict, several former players — including Martina
Navratilova and Pat Cash — have suggested Gimelstob should not continue with
his ATP role.
Meanwhile the All England Club, which runs Wimbledon, on Tuesday announced
they would ban Gimelstob from attending the Royal Box on Centre Court during
this year’s Championships and the invitational doubles tournament in which he
had previously taken part.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0850 hrs