From: Favorite Hunks & Other Things
Tennis hottie Jan Michael Gambill turns 37 today.
Jan-Michael Charles Gambill (born June 3, 1977 in Spokane, Washington, United States) is a currently inactive American tennis player who made his professional debut in 1996. His career-high singles ranking is World No. 14, which he achieved on June 18, 2001. Best known for his unusual double-handed forehand, Gambill reached the quarterfinals of the 2000 Wimbledon Championships, the final of the 2001 Miami Masters, and won three singles titles
Gambill was sponsored by Prince for both his racquets and apparel. He currently resides in Orange County, California.
Gambill was featured as a 'dream blind date' on the April 12, 2009, and April 19, 2009, episodes of the VH-1 reality show Tough Love, in which matchmaker Steven Ward set him up with Natasha. However, their relationship did not take off, and at the end of the April 19 episode, he stated he did not wish to date Natasha any further.
Gambill began playing tennis at the age of five, looking up to multiple Grand Slam singles titlists Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe. He has defeated, amongst other top players, former World No. 1s, Roger Federer, Carlos Moyá, Lleyton Hewitt, Gustavo Kuerten, Marcelo Rios, Jim Courier, Pete Sampras, and Andre Agassi, as well as Grand Slam champions Michael Chang, Thomas Johansson, Sergi Bruguera, and Gaston Gaudio. His best performances at Grand Slams have been reaching the quarterfinals of Wimbledon in 2000 and the fourth round of the US Open in 2002. His run to the final of the 2001 Miami Masters included wins over Hewitt, Gaudio, and Thomas Enqvist. He was coached by his father Chuck Gambill, who also coaches Jan-Michael's younger brother Torrey.
Throughout his career, Gambill was hampered by numerous injuries. Most prominently, whilst still in the world's top 40, he suffered a recurring shin condition, which severely limited him on the ATP Tour after 2004. He also started serving harder to try and compensate for lack of movement, which resulted in a shoulder injury.
Gambill played for the Boston Lobsters in the World Team Tennis league from 2008 on, alongside other successful American players such as Andre Agassi, John Isner, and Robby Ginepri.
In September 2009, Gambill reached the semifinals of the USA F23 Futures tournament (losing to second seed Michael McClune) in his first pro match of the year.
He competed in three Challenger events in 2010, and reached the quarterfinals of the USA F25 Futures in Irvine, California. Since October 2010, Gambill has not competed on the pro tour.
Gambill was a guest teaching at the Coto de Caza Golf & Tennis club in Southern California in 2010. Since July 2011, he has coached Coco Vandeweghe, his former Boston Lobsters teammate, on the WTA Tour.
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