Justin Gimelstob has quit his role as an ATP Board member after announcing he believed he had “become a significant burden and distraction.”
Gimelstob’s resignation from the ATP board comes at a time when he was awarded a three years probation to go with a 60-day community service for what was described as felony battery. He had pleaded guilty to accusations that he had attacked and hit Randall Kaplan, his ex-wife’s friend last year.
The American who has dabbled at multiple roles since retiring from his Grand Slam-winning career, had already been banned from Wimbledon‘s Royal Box apart from having had the invitation to annual invitational doubles tournament withdrawn.
More recently, current players Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka had called for Gimlestob’s resignation given what had transpired.
Gimelstob, who has also coached John Isner in the past, wrote in a Facebook post of his resignation and added the recent events and the role he played in it were a distraction and a burden to proper functioning.
He wrote:
“It has been an honor and a privilege to hold this position for the past 11 years. My job was to best represent the players, the ATP, and be a custodian of the sport.”
“My choices and actions last Halloween night prohibit me from doing that at this time. My role is designed to work on behalf of the players and the sport and it is clear that I have now become a significant burden and distraction to both.”
“That is not something that could or should continue. I’m heartbroken to walk away from something I love so much, but given the current climate I do not deserve to be in this position of influence.”
The rest of his post can be viewed below.
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