Justin Gimelstob arrested: L.A. Times

Shocking news out of Los Angeles Wednesday, as former player, broadcaster, coach, producer, agent and ATP Board member Justin Gimelstob has been arrested.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Gimelstob surrendered to police Nov. 21, three weeks after an alleged attack on Randall Kaplan, a former friend of his estranged wife, on Halloween night.

He was booked on a suspicion of felony battery charge, per an LAPD spokesman, and released on $50,000 bail.

On Friday, an extensively-reported piece by the Telegraph in the U.K. outlined previous instances involving Gimelstob in Los Angeles.

Gimelstob attorney Shawn Holley provided this statement to tennis.life last Thursday.

“Unsurprisingly, there is another side to this story and Justin will vigorously defend himself against these claims. To that end, Justin has been and will continue to be cooperative with law enforcement.”

As for the ATP, a spokesman sent this along Friday:

“We are aware of the situation regarding Justin Gimelstob and understand that the recent allegations are part of an ongoing police matter. It would therefore not be appropriate for us to comment further at this time.”

And here’s the comment from Tennis Channel, which employs Gimelstob as a commentator and producer.

“Justin asked Tennis Channel for a leave of absence while he works through this issue. As he is a long-time, valued member of our network family, we of course granted it to him. We believe that in today’s climate, perhaps more than ever, it’s important to recognize due process and the fact that there are multiple sides to every story. We don’t want to rush to immediate judgment, and will follow this closely as more detail comes to light.”

Halloween night horror story

According to the documents seen by the Times the man, venture capitalist Randall Kaplan, was walking on the street in Los Angeles about 6:30 p.m. that night with his wife and young daughter when Gimelstob allegedly attacked him.

Gimelstob was “apparently dressed as a pilot from the movie Top Gun”.

Kaplan filed for a temporary restraining order at the L.A. courthouse the following day. There will be a hearing on that Dec. 3.

The co-founder of Akamai and venture capitalist, who turns 50 today, is reportedly worth in excess of $100 million.

The Times reports that the temporary restraining order request includes photos of “a visibly bruised and scratched Kaplan”.

It’s been a tough month for the 41-year-old.

Less than a week before the incident, Gimelstob lost his father Barry – a huge influence in his life and career – at age 75.

RIP Barry Gimelstob, 75

Gimelstob “struck him 50 times”

“Kaplan alleged that Gimelstob attacked him from behind … striking him 50 times in an incident witnessed by his wife, 2-year-old daughter and another person.

Kaplan wrote that the assailant yelled that he was going to kill him. (He) said he realized who his attacker was as Gimelstob fled. Kaplan wrote that the attack left him with “large contusions and bruises on my face,” along with other bruises and possibly a concussion.”

There had reportedly been some history with Gimelstob, as Kaplan was friends with Gimelstob’s estranged wife Cary.

Cary Gimelstob filed for divorce July 29, 2015, per the L.A. court records. But as of Monday, more than three years later, the two remain embroiled in legal issues.

Gimelstob is devoted to their son, Brandon, who turned five in September.

In addition to all of his other involvements, the American is a director on the ATP Tour Board. He is one of two current representatives from the Player Council to sit on the board (a third, Roger Rasheed, was ousted a few weeks ago). In 2017, Gimelstob’s compensation from the ATP for his board duties and production work was $360,000.

Gimelstob has been on the board for more than a decade, since shortly after his retirement as a player in 2007. That, despite some offensive remarks made about players on the WTA Tour on a radio show back in 2008.

All of the details can be found in the Times story. (Click here to read it).