Gambill’s Hard Work Pays Off

Jan-Michael Gambill’s dream moved closer to reality Wednesday when the Mead High School senior was named to the 1995 U.S. National Tennis Team.

“My goal is to become a pro tennis player,” said the 17-year-old Gambill, who earned a tennis scholarship to the University of Washington in the spring of 1996. “That’s always been my goal.”

The first player from Washington to be selected to the U.S. team, Gambill will join the seven-boy, seven-girl squad for claycourt tournaments this spring in Italy, Belgium and France.

A self-described baseliner, Gambill says he’ll have to improve his serve to make it as a professional.

“I have a pretty big serve,” he said, “but the first-serve percentage is very important, and right now that’s one of my main weaknesses.”

Gambill, who trains locally under Scott Shogreen at North Park Racquet & Athletic Club, won the 1993 USTA National Boys’ 18 Indoor Championships. “It was very good for me, mentally, to win the indoors,” he said.

Gambill reached the final of the 1994 USTA National Boys’ 18 Championships, but was limited by a back injury.

Shogreen, who has worked with Gambill for three years, called his top pupil “pro material,” but cautioned that “he’s got a lot of work to do as far as fundamentals.

“Everything on paper is looking good,” Shogreen added, “but the pros is a whole new ballgame.”

At 6-foot-2, Gambill’s serves often approach 120 mph.

‘Guys who don’t have a big serve have a hard time getting it going (professionally),” Shogreen said.

Gambill said he plans to take the first quarter off at UW, playing in satellite, or bottom level, pro tournaments.

“If I don’t do well, then obviously the best thing to do is go to college full-time,” said Gambill.