Jim Thomas (tennis) explained

Jim Thomas
State House:Ohio
District:49th
Term Start:January 1, 2023
Predecessor:Thomas West
Party:Republican

Jim Thomas (born September 24, 1974) is an American politician and former professional tennis player.[1] His highest ATP world singles ranking was number 288, which he reached on November 2, 1998. His career high in doubles was at 29, set on August 21, 2006. He retired following the 2008 season.

Thomas was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives from the 49th district as a Republican in the 2022 Ohio House of Representatives election.[2]

Biography

Jim Thomas
Country:United States
Residence:Canton, Ohio, United States
Birth Date:24 September 1974
Birth Place:Canton, Ohio, United States
Turnedpro:1996
Plays:Right-handed (single-handed backhand)
Careerprizemoney:$801,553
Singlesrecord:0–3 (at ATP Tour-level, Grand Slam-level, and in Davis Cup)
Singlestitles:0
Highestsinglesranking:No. 288 (November 2, 1998)
Australianopenresult:Q2 (1998)
Wimbledonresult:Q2 (1998, 1999)
Usopenresult:Q2 (1998)
Doublesrecord:154–196 (at ATP Tour-level, Grand Slam-level, and in Davis Cup)
Doublestitles:6
Highestdoublesranking:No. 29 (August 21, 2006)
Australianopendoublesresult:2R (2005)
Frenchopendoublesresult:2R (2002, 2007, 2008)
Wimbledondoublesresult:1R (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008)
Usopendoublesresult:SF (2005)
Mixed:yes
Mixedrecord:1–9
Mixedtitles:0
Australianopenmixedresult:2R (2006)
Frenchopenmixedresult:1R (2007)
Wimbledonmixedresult:1R (2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007)
Usopenmixedresult:1R (2006)

Thomas began playing tennis at age three and is the youngest of six children (four brothers, one sister). He has 16 nephews and nieces and considers his parents most inspirational people in his life. His father is a doctor and his mother is a teacher.

Favourite players he enjoyed watching while growing up were John McEnroe and Boris Becker. Jim played four years at Stanford University from 1992 to 1996 and earned a degree in American Studies before turning pro. He also earned All-American honours during his senior year and was a member of NCAA team champions in 1995–96.

Thomas is interested in national and international politics. He is involved with Victory Gallop in Bath, Ohio, an equestrian therapy organisation for at-risk children. He considers hard courts to be his favourite surface.

Thomas's career best effort at a Grand Slam was the 2005 US Open where he and Paul Goldstein made the semi-finals. He has 6 doubles ATP titles and 14 doubles Challenger titles to his name. He recorded doubles wins over Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Lleyton Hewitt, Marat Safin, the Bryan brothers and Pat Rafter amongst others, in his career.

ATP career finals

Doubles:13 (6–7)

Finals by surface
Hard (2–6)
Grass (3–0)
Clay (1–1)
Carpet (0–0)
ResultW–LDateTournamentSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Loss0–1Nov 2000Brighton, EnglandHard (i) Paul Goldstein Michael Hill
Jeff Tarango
3–6, 5-7
Win1–1Jan 2001Auckland, New ZealandHard Marius Barnard David Adams
Martín García
7–6(12–10), 6–4
Loss1–2Apr 2001Houston, United StatesClay Kevin Kim Mahesh Bhupathi
Leander Paes
6–7(4–7), 2–6
Loss1–3Sep 2001Tashkent, UzbekistanHard Marius Barnard Julien Boutter
Dominik Hrbatý
4–6, 6–3, 11–13
Win2–3Jul 2004Newport, United StatesGrass Jordan Kerr Grégory Carraz
Nicolas Mahut
6-3, 6–7(5–7), 6-3
Win3–3Jul 2004Indianapolis, United StatesHard Jordan Kerr Wayne Black
Kevin Ullyett
6-7(7–9), 7-6(7–3), 6-3
Loss3–4Jan 2005Delray Beach, United StatesHard Jordan Kerr Simon Aspelin
Todd Perry
3–6, 3–6
Win4–4Jul 2005Newport, United StatesGrass Jordan Kerr Graydon Oliver
Travis Parrott
7–6(7–5), 7–6(7–5)
Loss4–5Feb 2006San Jose, United StatesHard (i) Paul Goldstein Jonas Björkman
John McEnroe
6–7(2–7), 6–4, [7–10]
Win5–5May 2006Pörtschach, AustriaClay Paul Hanley Oliver Marach
Cyril Suk
6–3, 4–6, [10-5]
Loss5–6Jul 2006Indianapolis, United StatesHard Paul Goldstein Bobby Reynolds
Andy Roddick
4–6, 4–6
Loss6–6Oct 2006Tokyo, JapanHard Paul Goldstein Ashley Fisher
Tripp Phillips
2-6, 5-7
Win7–6Jul 2007Newport, United StatesGrass Jordan Kerr Nathan Healey
Igor Kunitsyn
6–3, 7–5

References

  1. Web site: Jim Thomas . 2024-07-13 . Ballotpedia . en.
  2. Web site: Jake Zuckerman . jzuckerman@cleveland com . 2022-11-25 . Ex-tennis pro Jim Thomas to join Ohio House GOP in 2023 . 2024-07-13 . cleveland . en.

External links