Gay Games

 
Who You'll Meet In Sydney
Carlos Gambirazio Seeking Gold In Gay Games

By Cyd Zeigler Jr.

Carlos Gambirazio has been a lifelong fan of the game since growing up in Miami.  The most recent focus of his attention has been on Pete Sampras, whom he considers one of the great champions of the game not only because of the number of Grand Slams he’s won (a record on the men’s tour), but his focused lack of overly flashy play in his matches.

Even with his love of the game, Carlos had never made time to grab a racquet himself and hit some balls around the court.  At least, not until a friend asked Carlos to play tennis a couple years ago.  Despite Carlos’s busy schedule (he is an executive at Warner Bros., after all), with his love of tennis, it was an easy sell.  

Given his affinity for Sampras, it’s no wonder that his game quickly evolved into a serve and volley, and that he soon developed a one-handed backhand.  Carlos has also adopted much of Sampras’ attitude:  focus on winning, not talking about it.

He’s been playing with the Los Angeles Tennis Association, and has been traveling with some of the members to tournaments around the country, since.  While Carlos enjoys the camaraderie that develops between players from every city at the tournaments, and the nights out with his soon-to-be opponents grabbing drinks at the local bars, he is all about business on the court.

Carlos is now looking forward to traveling to the Gay Games in Sydney this November.  And, while he is planning to meet people from around the world and travel a bit around Australia before heading home, his plan for Sydney is very simple:  “my goal at the Games is to win singles and doubles at the A level.”

Carlos first participated in the Games as a spectator.  In 1994 he made the cross-country trek to New York City to watch his friend, Kip Deborhegeyi, participate in the physique competition.  Kip went on to win two medals at the Games and Carlos got a first-hand look at the community that had already built up around gay sports.  He also got a taste of the celebration of the Gay Games, attending the closing ceremonies in Yankee Stadium, with athletes from around the world and top music performers.  “Everyone was happy as can be,” he remembers.

To warm up for the upcoming Games, Carlos is playing a lot more tennis.  He’ll be traveling to tournaments in Boston and Chicago this summer, in addition to competing in a Los Angeles tournament over Labor Day Weekend, playing at the A level (which is something new for him in itself).  He’ll be traveling for some of these with his doubles partner, Rey Gonzalez.  Carlos and Rey first met while playing against one another in a tournament last summer and have been close tennis partners since.  What Carlos most enjoys about playing with Rey isn’t his competitiveness, despite Carlos’ will to win, but the fun that each of them has together.  “I’d rather win and lose with somebody fun than with somebody who’s too intense.”