Thursday, August 09, 2001
Gambill has game and looks
He was future of men's tennis before Roddick
By Michael Perry
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Jan-Michael Gambill
(Jeff Swinger photo)
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MASON - Reading stories about Jan-Michael Gambill circa 1998 are just like reading stories about Andy Roddick in 2001.
Gambill had recently turned 21 when he first came to Tennis Masters Series Cincinnati — then called the Great American Insurance ATP Championship — and had risen from No. 176 in the world at the start of 1998 to 60th in early July. “Is This Guy Really The Hunk That Will Save American Men's Tennis,” offered Tennismatch magazine.
Roddick, who lost in the first round to top-ranked Gustavo Kuerten, is 18 years old and here for the first time. He was No. 158 at the end of last year and is now 27th. The headlines are the same for him as they were for Gambill.
Both are personable and accommodating to the media. They appeal to, well, female fans. Both welcomed being tagged as the next great American player. They are also close friends and doubles partners.
“It's all good stuff when that kind of thing happens,” Gambill said of the hype. “It's good for American tennis. And it's good for Andy. I hope he doesn't let it go to his head. I've told him a few things. He's a smart guy, and he knows a lot himself. That's why he's playing so well at 18 years old.”
Gambill's career has progressed fairly well. He is ranked 22nd and tied for 14th in the year-long ATP Champions Race.
His 7-6 (2), 6-2 victory Wednesday over Jiri Novak put Gambill in the Round of 16 in Cincinnati for the second time in three tries. In 1998, he lost to Pete Sampras in his third match.
What's missing from his resume is a breakthrough title. His best finish in a Grand Slam was the 2000 Wimbledon quarterfinals, and his best Tennis Masters Se ries result was the Miami final in March when he lost to Andre Agassi. He made it to the 1998 Indian Wells semifinals.
Gambill has two career ATP Tour titles - 1999 at Scottsdale and March at Delray Beach, Fla.
“I could always have better results, hope to win more tournaments, get further in the Grand Slams,” Gambill said. “And I still think I can. By no means am I old. ... I feel I can play well and win against anybody right now.”
At 24, Gambill has become one the tour's sex symbols, frequently posing shirtless, including for a tour promotional poster that asks, “Anyone for tennis?” He was featured in Men's Journal on The List for “The Next Big Things.” In 2000, he was one of People magazine's “50 Most Beautiful People in the World.” He has posed for Sports Illustrated for Women as one of “The 10 Hottest Men in Sports.”
Through all this, Gambill said he does not think he has changed as a person.
“I hope not,” he said. “I come from a city (Spokane, Wash.) where everybody out there works hard and appreciates what they have. That's how I've always been.
“Since I was 9 years old, I wanted to be a tennis professional. I had goals. And ... I never take it for granted because I've worked so hard for it.”
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Gambill has game and looks
