Tennis Pro, Determined to Stay Relevant, Calls Kournikova a 'Bitch' and Others 'Sexpots'

Your next winner on "Loud Mouthed American Celebrity Type" .... Justin Gimelstob!! Come on down, champ. Gimelstob, a 31-year-old professional tennis player, decided to go off on some semi-profane, on-air rant this week, discussing the lustability factor of various female tennis players and then slanging mud all over Anna Kournikova's fine name.

Gimelstob ... let rip during an interview on US radio, which included describing Czech star Nicole Vaidisova as "a well developed young lady", and calling French pin-ups Tatiana Golovin and Alize Cornet "sexpots".

As well as calling Kournikova "a bitch", he claimed female players "lack the social skills, they don't go to high school, they don't go to parties".

But former world number one [Serena] Williams, who reached the last 16 of Wimbledon on Friday, said Gimelstob's comments were unnecessary ...

"Being pro-women's rights, I just think we've come farther than to be referred to like this," said Williams.
"Anna is a great girl. For anyone to say that about her is not professional. It's just totally uncalled for."

Well, clearly the comments were unnecessary. Fortunately, Serena took the high road in describing them, and inferring that the entire scenario more or less degraded the entire notion of women's rights. Which it does.

Harsh Words for Female Stars

Justin Gimelstob, a 31-year-old veteran of the men's tour, showed no mercy in his rant on Anna Kournikova and others during a radio interview. The American player called the former star "a bitch" and later insulted her looks, saying "She has a great body but her face is a five (out of ten)."

Matthew Stockman, Getty Images

Despite Gimelstob's harsh rip, the 27-year-old Russian beauty took the high road and did not chastise him in return. Kournikova, who will face Gimelstob during the American team tennis series, said "It's not about these things; it's about keeping it fun and positive for the fans."

Gustavo Caballero, Getty Images

Even though Kournikova wasn't rattled, eight-time Grand Slam champ Serena Williams wasn't about to let Gimelstob sound off uncontested. "Being pro-women's rights, I just think we've come farther than to be referred to like this," said Williams. "It's just totally uncalled for."

David Vincent, AP

Nicole Vaidisova was also the victim of Gimelstob's on-air tirade. The top-25 player was called "a well-developed young lady," but Vaidisova claimed she was unoffended by the remark. "I know he kind of talks like that a little bit. So I can cut him some slack," Vaidisova said.

Gustavo Caballero, Getty Images

French player Alize Cornet, who recently rose to No. 17 in the latest WTA rankings, was called "a little sexpot" during Gimelstob's interview. The
18-year-old player is coming off a successful run at the French Open where she reached the third round.

Jacques Demarthon, AFP / Getty Images

Tatiana Golovin, a 20-year-old French star, was the fourth target of Gimelstob's outburst. The No. 21-ranked player, who has been featured on the cover of FHM magazine, was also called a "sexpot" during the rant.

Frank Fife, AFP / Getty Images

Of course, Gimelstob isn't new to the media scene or to the "outspoken" scene either; he wrote for SI.com under the tagline of "outspoken tennis pro," so I guess we knew what we were getting. Still, Justin, dude, you gotta know when you call a girl a "B" on air, things are not going to end well for you. Even with all that sexpot stuff aside.

But wait ... he wasn't done!

Gimelstob could not just leave it at the b-word. Turns out, Justin is scheduled to play mixed doubles with Kournikova, and he stated that he planned on serving balls at her midriff. Oh, and that he didn't find her attractive.

'If she's not crying by the time she walks off the court then I did not do my job.'

Asked if he would ever have an affair with the player-turned-model, he went on: 'Definitely not. I have no attraction to her because she's such a douche. I really have no interest in her ... I wouldn't mind having my younger brother, who's a kind of a stud, nail her and then reap the benefits of that. She has a great body but her face is a five (out of ten).'

Hey, I'm all for free speech and everything, but obviously he took this one way too far. And he somehow doesn't think Kournikova is attractive? Come on, man. Being a sexist is bad enough, but a sexist liar is just immoral to boot.

Anna Kournikova

Retired from the pro tennis tour in 2003, Anna Kournikova continues to play exhibition matches. She says she still misses the pro circuit.

Michael Buckner, Getty Images

Kournikova, here attending a Boys & Girls Clubs of America gala last year in New York City, enjoys being an ambassador for the group.

Peter Kramer, Getty Images

In a blockbuster World Team Tennis deal this year, Kournikova was dealt from the Sacramento Capitals to the St. Louis Aces.

Jason Squires, WireImage.com

Russian phenom Kournikova debuted professionally at 14. By 16, she reached the Wimbledon semifinals, losing to eventual champion Martina Hingis in 1997.

Chris McGrath, Getty Images

Her beauty made her a marketing success with Adidas, pictured here, along with her other sponsors, as her modeling career took off.

Clive Brunskill, Getty Images

Kournikova broke into the Women's Tennis Association Top 20 at 17. But the highest ranking she achieved was No. 8 in Nov. 2000.

Kournikova partnered with Hingis to win two Australian Open Doubles titles in 1999 and 2002. The pair was ranked No. 1 at one point.

Sean Garnsworthy, AP

After her tour days, Kournikova continues to model. Her recognizable looks and celebrity have helped sell watches, sports bras and cars.

Osman Orsal, AP

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 15)

6-28-2008 @ 6:37AM

Denny said...

Serena "took the high road and says people shouldn't "refer" to others like this? What a hyprocrit! Am I the only one who read HER OWN words in an article where she went into detail describing her butt, her boobs and other body parts?

I totally agree that ALL of the talk and references spewed by this loudmouth pro "Justin" and others is totally out of line, demeaning, and probably offensive to most women etc...But, for Serena to say what she did about her own body for a story, and then turn around and comment about others being "unprofessional, "we have come too far to be referred to this way, and it is uncalled for to talk this way" is TOTAL hypocrisy...Come on Serena, YOU said what you did about your own body, it is in print. LIVE AND TALK by the same standard you demand of others before you judge anyone....

It is sad that people like Justin and others and Serena herself seem to talk like they are hormones with feet...ALL women and men should be treated with respect, talked to and referred to with respect. We are all "people" - not pieces of meat to be lusted over...

6-28-2008 @ 6:48AM

gs said...

sounds like a mental case

6-28-2008 @ 6:46AM

sounds like he got rejected big time if anna k is a five then the best he has been with is a 1

rachael said...

I am a woman who totally agrees with him. Serena is a retard. Woman's right movement? Are you kidding me? Serena!! WAKE UP!!! WE WOMEN ARE THE ONES DOING THIS TO OURSELVES!!! WE are the ones acting and dressing like sexpots...and then we get mad when men treat us that way??? Sounds a little hypocritical.
Serena is just jealous she wasn't called a sexpot.

So he thinks they are bitches, so what??? How are these comments uneccessary???

6-28-2008 @ 7:20AM

Dwayne Cole said...

The man has a eye problem,,, look at her and look at him--- case closed ---- Bitch or no Bitch she is out of his league !!!! and most likely hee QUEER

6-28-2008 @ 6:53AM

tyesha said...

What is he? Her stalker? And now he's mad because she, doesn't pay him any attention? Maybe never have. Excuse me, but even if your claims of truth are indeed true. Your blatent tone. Makes you seem like a bytch! Be-otch! This attitude is all wrong for Female bashing!

6-28-2008 @ 6:52AM

kerri said...

Justin "Gimelslob". The man looks like he pays for his dates.

6-28-2008 @ 6:57AM

Sharon said...

Sounds like he needs classes for playing tenis and girl watching.

6-28-2008 @ 7:01AM

Chunk said...

Why do people get blasted when they tell the truth? He certainly knows more about these players than most of us.

6-28-2008 @ 7:09AM

Linamarta said...

I commend Serena for positive comments about this fellows spewing.
Her comments are so much more attractive than his that one must suppose that he was just projecting onto the women his own difficulties----being a socially inept old boy.

6-28-2008 @ 7:12AM

She must have turned him down at some point! Or ignored him. This is a bruised and battered ego talking.

He is such a 0.

6-28-2008 @ 7:10AM

VA CARNEY said...

Kournikova was well-known for her snotty attitude. When a teenaged fan shouted to her, "Anna, marry me!", what was her response?

"You can't afford me!"

Now what do you call the purveyor of that remark? Rhymes with "witch".

She's not just a has-been. She's a never-was.

Even if it were true, (it's not)he's not very smart talking like that.

He has earned himself some serious criticism. Now, we take a better look at him! UGH!

6-28-2008 @ 7:58AM

lola espanola said...

This guy is really hard up for publicity. He has never hit the big time and so by now "Justin" is a has been who never really was. Still having trouble getting a girl, huh? How sad he is.

6-28-2008 @ 7:30AM

Lilli Surgalli said...

I looked at the photograph of Gimelstob and I started to laugh. He is so unattractive. It seems, he is having a male-problem. Usually men will go on some rant when they feel less than..what they want to be. He knocks down women and to make himself feel better, Any one can see these women would turn him down in a heartbeat. I feel sorry for him. He needs to calm down, take a nap and start all over. Maybe he'll even apologize.

6-28-2008 @ 7:29AM

mmmarty2ya said...

It sounds to me like someone remembers the big bucks that Bobby Riggs made when he played Billy Jean King in the "Battle of the Sexes." The seeds are sown....The publicity has started....Can the event be far behind?

6-28-2008 @ 7:31AM

Sheri said...

Justin who? Never heard of him. Serena needs to stop fighting Anna's battle. If Anna's not upset, why should Serena allow this nonsense to bother her?

6-28-2008 @ 7:32AM

james said...

Psssst--he's GAY!

6-28-2008 @ 7:38AM

Ken said...

Usually what a "guy" rants about women like that, it suggests that his orientation is--well, open to question.

6-28-2008 @ 7:42AM

Lutz Brehmer said...

Gimelstob who ???
All I can say is that a Ana Ivanovic or Anna Kournikova are very easy on my eyes. Gimelstop
should go to frustration or anger management!