Gimelstob calling the action for SKY Sport
American tennis commentator in Auckland for Heineken Open
January 12, 2012
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- Justin Gimelsob www.photosport.co.nz
Former ATP pro
Justin Gimelstob is picking David Ferrer to go all the way again at
this week’s Heineken Open.
The SKY Sport
commentator says a strong field could challenge defending champion
Ferrer but added it's hard not to tip the Spaniard repeating his 2011
effort.
“You have
so many excellent players it could really go to a handful of guys.
But when
you
have
a
guy
like
David
Ferrer
as
a
defending
champion, he's
just
a
very
difficult
guy
to
beat.”
“He's an
incredible
competitor. You
know
he's
going
to
be
well
prepared
and
focused.
It
will
take
a
really
excellent
effort
for
someone
to
beat
him, so
he
deserves
to
be
the
favourite.”
Although he
never played in the Heineken Open, Gimelstob heard a lot about it and
says all the positive comments were spot on.
“It's very
friendly, excellent hospitality, an intimate facility and a
knowledgeable, tennis fan base – all those things fell true,” he
said.
Gimelstob
views the tournament as a good warm-up for the Australian Open, which
starts on Monday. “It's pretty windy, which is often a condition
you find at the Aussie Open. So while it may not be pleasant to play,
it's good preparation,” he said.
During an
11-year career which saw him reach a high of 63, the American won 13
career doubles titles and two mixed grand slam doubles titles. Since
retiring in 2007, Gimelstob has worked around the globe as a tennis
commentator.
Gimelstob
certainly knows the current crop of ATP players well. In addition to
being a former pro he's served as a board member on the ATP since
2008 as a player representative. So how does he balance his tennis
commentator and ATP roles?
“It's
not
always
easy
to
manage
relationships
and
be
an
objective
broadcaster,
but
I
think
if
you're
fair
and
honest
and
back
it
up
with
information
as
opposed
to
just
opinions,
that's
the
best
opportunity
to
manage
people's
sensitivities,”
he said.
