Prosecutors in Los Angeles say tennis broadcaster and coach Justin Gimelstob has pleaded no contest to misdemeanor assault for attacking a former friend in Los Angeles in October 2018.
The district attorney’s office says the 42-year-old was sentenced on Monday to three years of probation, as well as 60 days of community service and a year’s worth of anger management classes.
Prosecutors said Gimelstob attacked Randall Kaplan from behind as they trick-or-treated with their children on Halloween 2018. Gimelstob claimed that Kaplan had insulted his father, Barry, who had recently died.
In a statement to the court Monday, Kaplan said Gimelstob struck him multiple times and threatened to kill him. Kaplan’s wife, Madison, described being terrified as she witnessed the assault, and said she had a miscarriage two weeks later. Gimelstob’s lawyer says he pleaded no contest “to move on with his professional life.”
Gimelstob won mixed doubles titles at the French and Australian Opens during his playing career, and has coached John Isner. He is also a player representative on the ATP Tour’s board of directors but faces a reelection vote next month. Gimelstob has taken a leave of absence from his duties as a commentator on the Tennis Channel but says he wishes to return in the future.
“Justin asked us for a hiatus period from his Tennis Channel announcing duties, prior to any legal proceedings, in order to have time to deal with his personal situation,” the Tennis Channel president, Ken Solomon, told the New York Times. “We, of course, acquiesced to his wishes. Together we agreed to meet whenever Justin was ready, presumably after due process has been served. We are here and ready to discuss the situation with Justin whenever appropriate, and will decide at that time.”