News

Biography

Pictures

Articles and Interviews

Links

Named after actor Jan - Michael Vincent, he has the height, weight and looks to attract attention. At 6'3", a cut 190 pounds, blond and possessing a tooth paste commercial smile, Jan - Michael Gambill is movie worthy. Trouble is, he is more than a pretty face.

A free and easy talker, Gambill comes from Spokane, Washington and reflects the attitudes found in the Pacific Northwest. Responsibility is foremost and family is important. His father Chuck, mother Diane and 16 - year - old brother Tory, travel with him and form his support group.

With so much going for him, Gambill is unbelievably unpretentious. "It's funny how quickly I've been accepted," he said of the time spent as a hitting partner, this spring, with the U.S. Davis Cup team. "It feels really good. Jim Courier gave me the nickname 'Hollywood' and I had a chance to hang out with Andre (Agassi). Both said a lot of nice things about me and I'm grateful. They have accomplished so much and I'm just starting out."

Gambill doesn't hit the ball, he destroys it using a funny, funky two - handed grip off both sides. "I was to small to hit the ball hard when I started," he said of his grip. "It was simple, the only way I could always hit the ball hard was to use two hands."

Name a player on the men's tour who lists a female as a hero. The exceptional Gambill is the exception. "Steffi Graf is one of my heroes," he admitted. "She is fluid and graceful. She is fast and intelligent the way she plays. She gives her all and never talks about herself, never makes excuses why she lost. She is a class act."

Karl Malone and John Stockton, a Spokane resident, also earn Gambill's praise. So does Riba McIntire. "I was so surprised," Gambill said of the called he received from the country music star. "I knew immediately it wasn't a joke. I know her voice. I was speechless for a while. I've been around stars and very few people can do that to me."

Fans, particularly those who are young and female, are now part of Gambill's life. "I like the attention," he said. "I think it's good if it gets more people to watch tennis. I keep saying, I like the football/basketball atmosphere where people can get into it and have fun. I like it when people are going crazy."

note: this biography was not written by me, it is an article from the U.S. Open